Mandatory Meat Inspection to Begin in December, but Infrastructure Remains a Major Challenge

Nepal is set to implement mandatory meat inspection across the country in phases, beginning this December. This move comes nearly three decades after the Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act was enacted in 1998, signaling a long-awaited regulatory step for the nation's meat industry.

The initial phase of enforcement will commence on November 17, targeting all local levels within the Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts. This concentrated start aims to establish the process in key urban centers before a broader rollout.

However, the government faces considerable hurdles, primarily concerning the development of adequate infrastructure. The success of the nationwide implementation hinges on establishing the necessary facilities and systems to support the inspection process effectively, a challenge that remains a major concern as the December deadline approaches.