Government today said the prime focus of the regulation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules, 2017 is to protect the animals from cruelty and not to regulate the existing trade in cattle for slaughter houses.<br/><br/>Environment Ministry in a release said, some representations have been received today regarding certain provisions of the rules. It said, the basic purpose of the rule is to ensure welfare of the animals in the cattle market and ensure adequate facilities for housing, feeding, feed storage area, water supply, enclosures for sick animals, veterinary care and proper drainage.<br/><br/>The Ministry said, it is envisaged that welfare of cattle dealt in the market will be ensured and only healthy animals are traded for agriculture purposes for the benefits of the farmers.<br/><br/>The livestock markets are intended to become hubs for trade for animal for agriculture through this process and animal for slaughter will have to be bought from the farmers at the farms. The notified rules will remove the scope of illegal sale and smuggling of the cattle which is a major concern.