TN issues new directives to improve welfare conditions of dairy animals

The Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, issued directives to ensure that dairies in the state end animal exploitation.

The guidelines are issued to all Regional Joint Directors, to have regulations in place to deal with urban dairies and also the cooperatives which source milk from cattle owners.
"This is a welcome step which has come in response to “CATTLE-OUGE” the national investigative report released by the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) highlighting the cruelty to animals in dairies."

Released in October 2017, FIAPO’s investigative report “CATTLE-OGUE” had revealed how most cows raised in dairies are intensively confined, leaving them unable to fulfill their most basic natural needs, such as nursing their calves, and are treated like milk-producing machines - genetically manipulated, pumped with antibiotics and hormones in order to produce more milk. While cows suffer in such set-ups, humans who drink their milk increase their chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many other ailments.

The unorganised and unregulated upkeep of dairy animals undoubtedly raises a question mark on the safety of the milk that these dairies produce as well as on the sustainability of India’s global leadership of milk production. FIAPO collaborated with 40 partner NGOs and individuals across 10 of India’s largest milk producing states to reach out to 451 dairies for the investigation report.

Expressing her contentment, Pavitra Krishnan, EndExploitativeDairies Campaign, FIAPO said, “This is a great initiative by the Animal Husbandry Department of Tamil Nadu and shows their commitment towards the welfare of dairy animals. We now look to the Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department to formulate rules to regulate dairies in urban areas and wherever appropriate prohibit the presence of dairy animals within municipal corporation limits.”

Following the launch of the report, FIAPO had asked the state governments to regulate dairies in urban areas. So far apart from Tamil Nadu, the animal husbandry departments of the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana and Haryana have issued orders for humane treatment of cattle. FIAPO is now asking the Urban Development departments of these states and also the government of the other states to promulgate rules under respective Municipal Acts to bring in conditions for licensing dairies in urban areas.