Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government on August 13 expressed its reservation against the Centre's move to enforce a nationwide ban on cow slaughter by bringing in a legislation under entry 17 of the Concurrent List.

Replying to a submission by Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPM) deputy leader Kotiyeri Balakrishnan in the Assembly, Chief Minister A K Antony said the government would apprise the Centre of its position if the state's response to the proposed legislation was sought.

Enforcement of cow slaughter ban would deprive the meat-eaters in the state of an inexpensive source of meat besides casting a burden on the farmers on account of feeding and upkeep of aged cattle.

The proposed ban would also hit thousands of families depending on meat trade as livelihood, Antony said. Unlike Northern states, Kerala did not have "goshalas" to protect old cattle.

The ban proposal was based on the Central Cattle Commission's recommendation to enact a legislation by making agriculture and animal welfare Central subjects. The state's position was that animal welfare was a state subject, he said.

PTI