Deonar abattoir may lose export dept
The export department of Deonar abattoir is likely to be shut down if the BMC does not renew the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) certificate before June 4. This will have a cascade effect on the entire abattoir operation, as its major revenue comes from export.
According to the civic officials, the Centre issues the Apeda certificate for exports of goods. However, according to the new guidelines, it requires a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). However, with both the rendering plant and biogas plant at Deonar slaughterhouse not being functional, the possibility of getting a NOC from the MPCB is very bleak.
Rendering plant converts animal waste like blood, intestines, feathers and hair into stable, value-added materials, while the biogas plant turns slaughterhouse waste into
energy.
Civic sources said that both the plants at the Deonar abattoir were shut down in 1986 — more than 25 years ago. The MPCB had issued a notice to the slaughterhouse asking when they would be commissioned again. These plants need to be started immediately to obtain the NOC from the MPCB for getting the Apeda certificate.
Corporator Shaikh Mohammed Siraj said, “If the BMC does not get the MPCB’s nod, the ramifications involve heavy revenue losses in foreign currency as well as hundreds of workers losing their jobs at the abattoir. The Apeda certificate needs to be renewed before the deadline. In failing to do so, the exports will have to be shut down. This will ultimately result in the closure of the abattoir.”
Civic officials said that funds are needed to restart the rendering and biogas plants. General manager Pramod Dethe said, “We have convened a meeting on Monday to discuss the issue and hopefully a positive solution will be reached.”
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