The new year has already seen some good news for abused dairy animals in India! The states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana have all issued guidelines for management of dairies to district officers and milk cooperatives, to ensure better welfare for cattle. This move is a result of the consistent efforts of FIAPO’s #EndExploitativeDairies campaign, which recently released its National Dairy Report highlighting malpractices in 451 dairies across India.
The guidelines passed are based on recommendations made by FIAPO to ensure that basic standards of animal welfare and handling are practised. These include:
- Better housing conditions
- Keeping animals in small, stable groups
- Freedom from tethering, allowing free movement at all times
- Clean, comfortable, warm and spacious bedding for rest and sleep
- Minimising discomfort by limiting the frequency of milking
- Unrestricted access to clean drinking water at all times
- Providing timely veterinary treatment
- Keeping detailed records of all health and welfare assessments
For a copy of the guidelines from each of these states, click the links below the images:
The news was welcomed across the states, as documented by many local and national newspapers:
While the dairy animals in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana now have a chance at a healthier life, animals in other states across India continue to suffer due to the absence of any management guidelines. We have now appealed to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to bring in stronger legislation to regulate the dairy industry. Join us in our efforts to compel the government to take action!
Sign the petition to #EndExploitativeDairies!
Prashanth Acharya,
Senior Campaign Manager,
Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO)
