A sour undertaking
Factory-like dairy farms planned for India will challenge traditional dairy farms that are not merely business ventures but a way of life across much of the country.
The dairy project in the Kisan SEZ by Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) in Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh will allow international dairies to muscle into the country. The proposal, has hit a roadblock, given serious concerns over possible violation of rules of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
Opposition to such factory-like dairy operations in many parts of the world stems from the inhumane conditions imposed by the dairy industry on cattle. In India, undercover investigations by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) exposed the inhumane treatment of cattle, e.g. Oxytocin abuse to induce unusually high quantities of milk, which caused excessive stomach cramping in milch animals.
Many fear that the government's relaxed policies on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the rush to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTA) will attract global companies seeking a 'cash cow' to invest in India, which has perhaps the world's largest livestock population.
IFFCO’s Kisan SEZ dairy project will be run like a corporate farm, with imported animals coming under extreme stress at being kept at high stocking densities in close proximity with minimal hygienic conditions, and regularly dosed with drugs which might result in them contracting diseases or developing drug resistant variants of existing diseases a.k.a. super bugs.
Animals kept within an intensive cramped system have a higher likelihood of injuries, reduced productivity and complications resulting from climatic shock. Mega dairy projects have been banned in many countries due to its potential hazards. Lincolnshire in UK for example recently refused permission to a cattle farm similar to the one proposed at IKSEZ Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) is a collective of animal protection organisations in India that is campaigning against this proposed project in Nellore."Industrial dairies are extremely harmful for animals, local environment, as well as small farmers. The only party that benefits is the industrialist", says Arpan Sharma, FIAPO CEO.
The genetically manipulated Jersey and Holstein Friesian cows that are to be imported at a high A sour undertaking Factory-like dairy farms planned for India will challenge traditional dairy farms that are not merely business ventures but a way of life across much of the country.
"IFFCO, a fertiliser company with no experience in dairying, is the main proponent of this dairy and it proposes to develop an intensive dairy with 40,000 cows through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) consisting of IFFCO Kisan SEZ-Fonterra-Global Dairy Health consortium."
VARDA MEHROTRA
Director Programmes, FIAPO
price from New Zealand, have
shortened life span, reduced
fertility, greater propensity for
diseases, physiological and
development problems. Animal
slaughter, management of waste
and transportation of animals result
in additional problems.
Moreover, they plan to feed the cattle corn as opposed to traditional fodder. This would push up their milk production costs, but will not affect their economic viability. So while we struggle to feed people below the poverty line, a fertilizer co-operative with foreign collaboration will be feeding their cows corn to produce more milk for the markets at a higher cost of production and higher price.
Indian dairy farmers already are in crisis with increased cost of production and non-remunerative prices. The scarcity of natural resources and crop residue for fodder has defined the death of traditional grazing practices. The productivity of cattle is based on its care and management; however farmers will be forced to switch over to efficient food, and care intensive breeds to compete. This spells a bleak future for the conservation of endemic bovine with lower yield but higher tolerance to environmental stressors.
We are the largest producer and consumer of milk, producing around 130 million tons and the total world production estimates 730 million tons, with approximately 115 million bovine at present. Yet EU does not permit import of dairy products from India in the name of SPS (Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary) measures saying that Indian milch animals are not maintained as per EU standard.
Even the Food and Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced 68% of the bulk milk supplies are found to be unsafe and substandard quality. So why is this consortium interested in India?
The continued 3% approximate growth of milk production, bundled with a low production cost, the per capita consumption growing at 1.5% annually, and improved incomes causing a surge in consumption makes India attractive to investments. Once the economics and the production facilities are put into place, and the 'pilot' project is found ‘acceptable', this consortium plans at least 10 other such dairy farms in other locations in India. Towards bovine care standards, cattle require shelter for protection from environmental and parasitic elements, as they perform better under favourable conditions. The comfortable temperature range for dairy breeds of cattle is 15 degrees C to 27 degrees C. Climatic stress occurs when the temperature goes 5 degrees C below or above this range. High humidity combined with high temperature could cause greater stress. So, the meagre space requirements of dairy animals as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) raise the question: Have they considered the dimensions of all breeds of cattle?
In the legal context, The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 is ineffective in controlling cases of animal abuse, and deaths resulting thereof due to the noncognisable nature of offences, which in legal terms endows minor punishments. Our aged laws need amendment especially relating to dairy. There are concerns of violation of provisions of Andhra Pradesh Cow Protection Act.
Even countries like New Zealand, from where we plan to import impregnated cattle, embryos and semen, have Animal Welfare codes for Dairy Cattle, Commercial Slaughter and Painful Husbandry Procedures. Lack of stringent Indian standards would encourage foreign and local adventurism because India is outside the legal jurisdiction of international standards and therefore open to cowboy tactics.
Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. R.M. Kharb, AVSM AWBI Chairman added, "I do hope good sense prevails and Andhra Pradesh Govt. does not approve the mega dairy project."
By: JOSEPH THARAYIL VARGHESE
Factory-like dairy farms planned for India will challenge traditional dairy farms that are not merely business ventures but a way of life across much of the country.
The dairy project in the Kisan SEZ by Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) in Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh will allow international dairies to muscle into the country. The proposal, has hit a roadblock, given serious concerns over possible violation of rules of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
Opposition to such factory-like dairy operations in many parts of the world stems from the inhumane conditions imposed by the dairy industry on cattle. In India, undercover investigations by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) exposed the inhumane treatment of cattle, e.g. Oxytocin abuse to induce unusually high quantities of milk, which caused excessive stomach cramping in milch animals.
Many fear that the government's relaxed policies on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the rush to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTA) will attract global companies seeking a 'cash cow' to invest in India, which has perhaps the world's largest livestock population.
IFFCO’s Kisan SEZ dairy project will be run like a corporate farm, with imported animals coming under extreme stress at being kept at high stocking densities in close proximity with minimal hygienic conditions, and regularly dosed with drugs which might result in them contracting diseases or developing drug resistant variants of existing diseases a.k.a. super bugs.
Animals kept within an intensive cramped system have a higher likelihood of injuries, reduced productivity and complications resulting from climatic shock. Mega dairy projects have been banned in many countries due to its potential hazards. Lincolnshire in UK for example recently refused permission to a cattle farm similar to the one proposed at IKSEZ Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) is a collective of animal protection organisations in India that is campaigning against this proposed project in Nellore."Industrial dairies are extremely harmful for animals, local environment, as well as small farmers. The only party that benefits is the industrialist", says Arpan Sharma, FIAPO CEO.
The genetically manipulated Jersey and Holstein Friesian cows that are to be imported at a high A sour undertaking Factory-like dairy farms planned for India will challenge traditional dairy farms that are not merely business ventures but a way of life across much of the country.
"IFFCO, a fertiliser company with no experience in dairying, is the main proponent of this dairy and it proposes to develop an intensive dairy with 40,000 cows through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) consisting of IFFCO Kisan SEZ-Fonterra-Global Dairy Health consortium."
VARDA MEHROTRA
Director Programmes, FIAPO
price from New Zealand, have
shortened life span, reduced
fertility, greater propensity for
diseases, physiological and
development problems. Animal
slaughter, management of waste
and transportation of animals result
in additional problems.Moreover, they plan to feed the cattle corn as opposed to traditional fodder. This would push up their milk production costs, but will not affect their economic viability. So while we struggle to feed people below the poverty line, a fertilizer co-operative with foreign collaboration will be feeding their cows corn to produce more milk for the markets at a higher cost of production and higher price.
Indian dairy farmers already are in crisis with increased cost of production and non-remunerative prices. The scarcity of natural resources and crop residue for fodder has defined the death of traditional grazing practices. The productivity of cattle is based on its care and management; however farmers will be forced to switch over to efficient food, and care intensive breeds to compete. This spells a bleak future for the conservation of endemic bovine with lower yield but higher tolerance to environmental stressors.
We are the largest producer and consumer of milk, producing around 130 million tons and the total world production estimates 730 million tons, with approximately 115 million bovine at present. Yet EU does not permit import of dairy products from India in the name of SPS (Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary) measures saying that Indian milch animals are not maintained as per EU standard.
Even the Food and Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced 68% of the bulk milk supplies are found to be unsafe and substandard quality. So why is this consortium interested in India?
The continued 3% approximate growth of milk production, bundled with a low production cost, the per capita consumption growing at 1.5% annually, and improved incomes causing a surge in consumption makes India attractive to investments. Once the economics and the production facilities are put into place, and the 'pilot' project is found ‘acceptable', this consortium plans at least 10 other such dairy farms in other locations in India. Towards bovine care standards, cattle require shelter for protection from environmental and parasitic elements, as they perform better under favourable conditions. The comfortable temperature range for dairy breeds of cattle is 15 degrees C to 27 degrees C. Climatic stress occurs when the temperature goes 5 degrees C below or above this range. High humidity combined with high temperature could cause greater stress. So, the meagre space requirements of dairy animals as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) raise the question: Have they considered the dimensions of all breeds of cattle?
In the legal context, The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 is ineffective in controlling cases of animal abuse, and deaths resulting thereof due to the noncognisable nature of offences, which in legal terms endows minor punishments. Our aged laws need amendment especially relating to dairy. There are concerns of violation of provisions of Andhra Pradesh Cow Protection Act.
Even countries like New Zealand, from where we plan to import impregnated cattle, embryos and semen, have Animal Welfare codes for Dairy Cattle, Commercial Slaughter and Painful Husbandry Procedures. Lack of stringent Indian standards would encourage foreign and local adventurism because India is outside the legal jurisdiction of international standards and therefore open to cowboy tactics.
Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. R.M. Kharb, AVSM AWBI Chairman added, "I do hope good sense prevails and Andhra Pradesh Govt. does not approve the mega dairy project."
