The push for stronger law against slaughter of cattle laws in all the States by some political parties is expected to adversely impact dairy farmers.
Poor dairy farmers are worried as to what they would to do with their animals that are unproductive or terminally sick, if such laws are in place.
According to Animal Husbandry Department data, The State stands 7{+t}{+h}in the population of crossbred cattle, 15{+t}{+h}in indigenous cattle, 15{+t}{+h}again in total cattle and 5{+t}{+h}in buffalo population in the country. The State also stands 4{+t}{+h}in meat production, with a capacity of 4,88,750 tonnes (2012-13 data) of which share of buffalo meat is 59,510 metric tonnes. Veterinarians claim that a lot of the tonnage in the buffalo meat is actually white cattle (cow). In total, 47.65 per cent of the livestock are white cattle (cows), according to the 19{+t}{+h}Quinquennial Livestock Census (2012), and farmers, unable to bear the burden, send the “unproductive” animals to slaughterhouse. National Animal Welfare Board co-opted member and Hyderabad-based animal welfare activist Swami Svayam Bhagavandas told The Hindu that only animals over 14 years, which could not be used for draught, breeding or milch purposes, are technically considered unproductive and they need to be certified as unproductive by a veterinarian. This is not being followed in the strictest of senses, he says.
“Maintaining an unproductive animal has become a big burden for dairy farmers. The minimum cost of maintaining an animal is Rs 1,200 a month,” says dairy farmer Y. Kesava Rao from Gudivada. The animals are herded to slaughterhouse overnight and next morning a theft complaint is lodged with the police so that people do not get suspicious, he adds.
An animal needs to be certified as unproductive by a veterinarian. This is not being followed strictly.
Swami Svayam Bhagavandas,National Animal Welfare Board co-opted member
Maintaining unproductive animal has become a big burden for dairy farmers. The minimum cost of maintaining an animal is Rs 1,200 a month
Y. Kesava Rao,a dairy farmer from Gudivada
