The Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association (KPFBA) has opposed the draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act (Amendment Bill, 2022) which it believes is going to harm the poultry sector as there is no distinction between commercial animals (poultry, turkey etc.) and other types of animals.
In a letter addressed to Dr. O.P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary (Animal Welfare), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, the KPFBA President, Dr. Sushanth B. Rai mentioned how the proposed law is vague and would lead to confusion and litigation unless there is clarity about how animals are classified. He said there should be a clear differentiation between the following: Pet animals: birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, etc; Draught animals: donkeys, mules, etc; Commercial animals for food: poultry, turkey, aquaculture, etc; Animals for performance and entertainment: horses, dogs, monkeys, etc. and Zoo Animals: all wildlife in captive conditions.
The KPFBA President said “One common law to address all the above different animals will create chaos and would be a disaster in nature. As every animal has different genetics, nutritional needs, biosecurity requirements, housing needs, etc. each of them needing a different law as per their needs, which should be considered on priority.”
Similar views have also been endorsed by other Associations – the Central India Vencobb Broiler Breeder Hatcheries Association – Chhattisgarh; Poultry Farmers & Breeders Association (MH) – Maharashtra; Broiler Coordination Committee – Tamil Nadu; and the Telangana Poultry Breeders Association – Telangana & AP.
The KPFBA President said that similar to the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, a separate act for the wild animals living in the forests, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act should be bifurcated into two parts. “One Act that should take care of animals that are used for entertainment purposes and film shooting purposes and the second act should take care of animals/birds which are reared for human consumption or commercial reasons such as poultry, dairy, goat farming, etc.”
The draft, he said, was not drafted by taking into consideration the views of the poultry sector while it took into consideration only animals used for entertainment and film shooting purposes. The KPFBA has demanded a separate Act for poultry or other livestock that is consumed by humans.
As per the proposed amendment to Section 10 (1) the Animal Welfare Board has been empowered while the KPFBA wants the State Department of Animal Husbandry to be the nodal agency. The KPFBA has sought exclusion of amendment to Section 10 (2) which empowers the agencies to enter and inspect poultry farms. The KPFBA said entry should be allowed only after observing biosecurity protocols by a qualified veterinarian only.
The insertion of 11C (offense by poultry farms or livestock industry) is vague and will lead to unnecessary harassment of poultry farmers and misuse of law, he said and mentioned that at times vaccination, grading, post-mortems, beak trimming, feather cutting & even culling of infected birds are done under standard farming practices which are part and parcel of animal husbandry in poultry farming.
The KPFBA President mentioned that the amendment in Section 34 says that “Provided the animals so seized shall be kept in the custody of the local SPCA or recognised animal welfare organisation, except the complaint, as per the order of the Jurisdictional Magistrate in accordance with the Rules under this Act.” It is not clarified who will take accountability in case of mortality of the seized flock/animals held by the local SPCA or animal welfare organisation.
The KPFBA has sought from the government to look at these observations on priority as there are over 10 lakh poultry farmers & entrepreneurs and millions of workforce who are directly and indirectly dependent on the poultry sector.
The KPFBA has sought immediate changes to the amendments in the PCA Act to accommodate the concerns of the poultry sector. Poultry farmers are food producers in India and this law (PCA Act’1960) should be amended considering the ground reality and financial condition of poultry farmers.
For more details contact president@poultrykarnataka.net
