THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The hoteliers serving popular rabbit meat dishes as their speciality will face strong action with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issuing strict ban orders on rabbit slaughtering in the state.
In the order issued last week, the FSSAI has urged the government to strengthen the vigil and ensure the compliance of the order which restricts slaughtering of dog, cat, rabbit and camel anywhere in the state.
In the wake of the order, the Commissionerate of Food Safety has given strict direction to district food safety officers to launch extensive drives in the state to prevent rabbit slaughtering and initiate legal proceedings against the offenders.
Commissioner of Food Safety T.V. Anupama told DC that rabbit slaughtering was rampant in the state.
“Rabbit meat is very popular and we have given strict direction to the squads to keep a tab on this. No restaurants will be allowed to serve rabbit meat dishes. Rabbit farms in the state will be under our surveillance and strict measures will be taken to prevent slaughtering of rabbits,” said Anupama.
Meanwhile, the decision has come as a major setback to the animal husbandry department – which owns rabbit farms and is extensively promoting rabbit farming in the state.
“We will be taking up the matter with the animal husbandry department. They are promoting rabbit farming with the help of local bodies. A meeting will be held with the authorities this week,” added Anupama.
