TEHRAN (AFP) -Iran has for the first time given the green light for the breeding and slaughter of crocodiles — as long as they are killed in line with Islamic rules, a newspaper reported.

But its unlikely the fearsome beasts will be killed to make handbags, belts or shoes. Instead the meat will be used for cat and dog food and other industrial purposes, Jomhouri Eslami reported.

Several private companies have already said they’d like to get their teeth into the crocodile breeding business, according to the representative of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran’s veterinary organisation.

“The crocodiles should be slaughtered by cutting four veins so the skin is considered clean in line with halal (Islamic dietary rules),” the representative, identified only as Soltani, told the newspaper.

Animals that are not killed in line with Islamic rules are considered “haram” and are not allowed to be used.

Iran boasts an indigenous population of several hundred freshwater crocodiles — the Mugger Crocodile or Ghandu which live in the southeastern tip of the country near the border with Pakistan.

But it was not clear which species of the animal would be bred in the farms.