42 pigs rescued in daring night chase

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-12/goa/36296108_1_pigs-animal-rescue-squad-transport

MAPUSA: About 42 pigs being illegally transported to Goa from Belgaum in a pickup were rescued near Mapusa by two animal welfare activists in a daring mission at 1.30am on Thursday.

Having received a tip-off, John Fernandes and Mahadev Mestri of the Animal Rescue Squad set off on a motorbike for the 'Goa-Mumbai' NH 17, looking for a Karnataka-registered vehicle.

Near Hotel Green Park they saw the pickup heading towards Panaji and heard the grunting of pigs. Following the vehicle, they got it to stop by stopping their own motorbike right in front of it.

"We asked the driver for the permit to transport the pigs. He didn't have one and instead offered us a bribe," claimed Fernandes.

The duo called the police who arrested the driver and the two helpers-all Karnataka natives-and rescued the pigs. Sources said the pigs were headed to a slaughterhouse in Saligao.

Describing the "horrid" conditions under which the pigs were being transported, Fernandes said, "The pickup was divided into two sections and the upper section alone had 25 pigs. The condition was unhygienic and so crammed that one pig had died during the journey."

He stressed that the law does not permit the carrying of so many pigs in such constrained conditions.

Police sources corroborated this, saying the transportation was in violation of provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

"The law requires that those transporting pigs should have a licence to do so. It is also illegal to transport pigs in a vehicle that has not been properly constructed to carry them," an animal activist later explained.

The arrested trio are under police custody.

Animal welfare organizations slam govt move to set up 25 new abattoirs

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Animal-welfare-organizations-slam-govt-move-to-set-up-25-new-abattoirs/articleshow/15654718.cms

NAGPUR: Animal welfare organizations have slammed the ministry of food processing industries (MFPI) decision to set up 25 new abattoirs and modernize 25 existing ones across the country before 2014.

Animal welfare organizations like Sukrut Nirman Charitable Trust (Nagpur), People for Animals (Haryana) and International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA) in India say that the government is fooling the people.

Kanakrai Savadia, chairman of Sukrut, said there is no check on conditions in slaughter houses which are "primitive and unhygienic". "Slaughter houses are exposing the workers and consumers to the fatal zoonotic and food-borne infections. Besides, animals are subjected to cruelty at all stages," he said.

Listing out the figures, Savadia said the present production of meat in India is estimated at 6.27 million tonnes, which is 2.21% of the world's meat production. The contribution of meat from buffalo is about 23.33%, while cattle contributes about 17.34%, sheep 4.61%, goat 9.36%, pig 5.31%, poultry 36.68% and other species 3.37%.

"The meat production has increased and if you see the figures, contribution of buffalo meat accounts for more than 75% of total exports of meat sector. This is causing milk shortage and putting pressure on cow and cattle slaughter," Savadia told TOI.

A few modern abattoirs in India are run largely by big private players exporting meat. "The government only wants to help these players on the pretext of improving hygienic meat production and, more importantly, with an eye on foreign exchange through export," Savadia added.

Savadia says the exporters are resorting to outsourcing of meat from small traders rather than slaughtering at their own facility. This is due labour problems and hitches in procurement of animals. This has led to a spurt in illegal purchase of meat from local butchers at predetermined price and then export it after processing and packaging.

"Another critical problem we are facing is dwindling animal population because of indiscriminate slaughter of animals mainly for export just to satisfy foreign consumers," said Savadia.

The Central Leather Institute (CLI), Chennai, run by the government has expressed grave concern over the indiscriminate slaughter of animals of export especially buffaloes. The CLI says livestock in India in relation to human population is much lower compared to many livestock holding countries. There is an immediate need to arrest the present practice of indiscriminate slaughter of young and productive animals.

Naresh Kadyan, OIPA's India representative, said, "We have already opposed the MFPI decision. The slaughterhouses are playing havoc and no steps have been taken over the years to improve the situation. New abattoirs would cause more problems."

Kadyan said the country will have to face an acute shortage of animals and animal products. Existing slaughterhouses are unable to meet their requirements and hence procuring buffaloes by illegal means.

"We will file a PIL if the decision is not withdrawn. The export-oriented slaughterhouses are killing productive milch buffaloes clandestinely to fulfil export commitments," said Abishekh Kadyan, leader of PFA, Haryana.

Savadia says the depletion in cattle population has brought about a steep escalation in the cost of all animals. The most unfortunate fallout of this has been on small farmers. They are lured to sell their animals, but soon discover that it is impossible to buy fresh stock again.

Anuradha Prasad, joint secretary of MFPI, did not respond to a query sent to her. However, her office could only confirm that proposals from prospective bidders have been received and scrutiny has been done. The issue will be put before the group of ministers (GOM) for approval soon.

Meaty Tales

India poduces an estimated 6.27 million tonnes which is 2.21% of the world's meat production

Buffalo meat is about 23.33%, cattle 17.34%, sheep 4.61%, goat 9.36%, pig 5.31%, poultry 36.68% and other species 3.37%

The government only wants to help the big meat exporters on the pretext of improving hygienic meat production. It also has an eye on foreign exchange through export

Kanakrai Savadia | chairman of Sukrut Nirman Charitable Trust

We have already opposed the decision. The slaughterhouses are playing havoc and no steps have been taken over the years to improve the situation. New abattoirs would cause more problems

Naresh Kadyan | OIPA's India representative

We will file a PIL if the decision is not withdrawn. The export-oriented slaughterhouses are killing productive milch buffaloes clandestinely to fulfill export commitments

Abishekh Kadyan | PFA chief, Haryana

Privatisation of slaughter house opposed

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Privatisation-of-slaughter-house-opposed/articleshow/15532624.cms

 

PUNE: A group of citizens and corporators across parties have opposed the decision to privatize the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) slaughter house in Kondhwa. The civic standing committee on Tuesday approved the privatization plan.

The proposal came up for discussion in May, but the standing committee had kept it in abeyance when it ran into opposition. Several warkaris and members of other communities had staged an agitation in June outside the civic body's headquarters opposing the privatization plan. They said it would lead to the slaughter of far too many animals.

PMC had received five proposals for the tender to privatise the slaughter house. PMC selected a Delhi-based company for the contract. The civic body had recently spent over Rs 6 crore on renovating and modernizing the abattoir.

"The decision to privatize the abattoir is not right. It will not only harm animals, but also create problems for the people in nearby areas," said Shreenath Bhimale, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of the standing committee.

Aba Bagul, a Congress leader in PMC, said that animal killing would go up, if the abattoir was given in private hands. "The private firm is paying huge sum for running the slaughter house. If it has to recover the money and make profit, the company will have no option but to increase the number of animals that are supposed to be slaughtered. Currently around 50 animal are slaughtered and the number is likely to increase further," he said.

Matrubhumi Dakshata Chalval, a social organisation stated that the PMC should cancel the decision. "The decision is sending a wrong message in the society. The number of animals such as buffaloes, cows and bulls is reducing day by day and there is a need to save the cattle", said a statement issued by the organisation.