Supreme Court Confirms Ghee as a Livestock Product: Understanding the Legal Debate       

Introduction:

• In a recent verdict, the Supreme Court settled a legal dispute concerning whether ghee qualifies as a “livestock product.” The case originated from a challenge by livestock producers in Andhra Pradesh against a government notification allowing market committees to impose fees on ghee transactions. Let’s delve into the details of this significant legal decision.

The Legal Dispute:

• Livestock producers in Andhra Pradesh contested a government notification designating ghee as a livestock product, arguing that it did not meet the criteria. Their primary contentions were that ghee is not directly derived from livestock and that proper procedural steps were not followed in issuing the notification.

The Andhra Pradesh Act of 1966:

• To understand the context, we look at the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh (Agricultural Produce and Livestock) Markets Act, 1966. This legislation defines livestock broadly and empowers the government to declare certain products, including ghee, as livestock derivatives for regulatory purposes.

High Court’s Interpretation:

• In 2009, the Andhra Pradesh High Court interpreted the Act, affirming that while ghee is not directly sourced from livestock, it is unquestionably a derivative of milk, which is produced by cows and buffaloes. Therefore, the court ruled that ghee falls under the definition of livestock products outlined in the Act.

Supreme Court Verdict:

• The matter reached the Supreme Court, which upheld the High Court’s decision. Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and SVN Bhatti affirmed that ghee, being a product of milk, which originates from livestock, unequivocally qualifies as a livestock product. They also referenced a previous ruling to emphasize the expansive interpretation of animal husbandry products under similar laws.

Conclusion:

• The Supreme Court’s ruling conclusively establishes ghee as a livestock product under the Andhra Pradesh Act of 1966. This decision not only resolves a longstanding legal dispute but also clarifies the regulatory framework governing agricultural produce and livestock derivatives.