The Union environment ministry on Sunday said it was open to modifications in the cattle slaughter rules as the government doesn’t see it as a prestige issue.

“The suggestions that have been submitted will be contemplated upon. It is not a prestige issue for us,” Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said here on the sidelines of an official event to mark the World Environment Day.

Rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act were not to influence food habits or affect slaughtering business, the minister said.

Last month, the ministry issued a gazette notification finalising the new Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, in order to improve the conditions of animal markets.

But the rule came with a controversial clause of banning the sale of cattle for slaughtering in the animal markets.
This triggered a massive row all over the country with protests being held in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Beef eating protests were held by the students of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the ban as undemocratic and unconstitutional. She also said her government would not implement it.

The meat industry that recorded more than Rs 30,000 crore in export revenue in 2015-16, too, protested against the move.

*Rules not intended toinfluence food habits
*Will not affect slaughtering business
*Suggestions will becontemplated upon
*Not a prestige issue for the Centre