Lok Sabha Question No. 2462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Animal Abuse by the Dairy Industry
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2462 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 th  MARCH, 2021

## ANIMAL ABUSE BY THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

## 2462. SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपाऱन , पशुपाऱन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey  to  study  the  abuse  of  cows  and other animals prevailing in the dairy industry;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the steps taken to prevent the same;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  laws  to  ensure  humane  treatment  of animals by the dairy industry;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the details of the complaints received regarding animal abuse by the dairy industry and the actions taken by the Government thereon;
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to curb unhealthy practices of forced insemination by the dairy industry for the production of milk; and
- (g) whether the Government has taken any measures to explore plant-based substitutes for dairy products so as to reduce abuse of animals for mass production?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND DAIRYING

(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a) No.  Sir.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) & (d) No separate laws has been formulated by the Government for the dairy industry. However, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 is equally applicable for all the animals including dairy animals to prevent unnecessary pain or sufferings. Under Section 12  of  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animal  Act,  1960,  there  is  provision  for  penalty  of practising phooka or doom dev. Also the Government of India has framed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Registration of Cattle Premises) Rules, 1978.

(e) No Sir. However, there are some media report and reports from animal welfare organizations/activists regarding illegal administration of Oxytocin (hormone and scheduled  drug)  by  the  dairies  for  letting  down  of  milk.    The  Department  of  Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India issued advisories to all the States to create awareness amongst the dairy farmers for not using Oxytocin injection. The Central Drugs Standards  Control  Organizations  (CDSCO)  is  also  taking  various  measures  to  control manufacturing  and  marketing  of  Oxytocin.  The  State  Governments  are  also  taking measures to curb illegal sale and use of Oxytocin as per the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Rules Framed thereunder.

(f) The  Artificial  insemination  for  conception  of  animals  cannot  be  considered  as unhealthy  practice.  The  Artificial  Insemination  process  involves  production  of  frozen semen  by  following  Minimum  Standards  Protocol  laid  down  by  Government  of  India, Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying.  The  animals  are  inseminated  for pregnancy  when  the  animals  are  in  estrous  period.  The  semen  collected  by  the  Semen Stations maintains hygienic conditions. The semen are kept in liquid nitrogen, checked for bacterial  count  batch  by  batch  as  per  the  Minimum  Standards  Protocol.  The  Artificial Insemination  also prevent spread of sexually transmitted diseases like Brucellosis, Vibrosis, Trycomoniasis etc. which damages the productivity of dairy animals. There is no report of bad effect of artificial insemination.

(g) No. Sir. However, there are no restrictions for manufacturing and sale plant based milk.

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