$JES 901 Jainism and Spiritual Awakening E9

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 95

15 - JAIN WAY OF LIFE AND ETHICAL LIVING AND ENVIRONMENT
Hormones and antibiotics are fed or injected daily to increase the milk yield (except - organic dairy farms). Almost all small dairies in India also use hormones and antibiotics.
Since the cows are kept continually pregnant and also fed or injected daily with hormones and antibiotics, they produce about three times more milk than what they would produce normally and naturally (about 80 years ago). In other words, the cow's body has to work 3 times as hard to produce such a large quantity of milk.
In this way, farmers try to meet the growing demand for dairy products without increasing the number of cows. After about five years of this intense stress, the cow's body breaks down and her milk production yield drops significantly. At this time, she is sent legally to a slaughterhouse in the western world and in most cases, illegally in India. Many illegal slaughterhouses exist in India. I have visited a few of them in Ahmedabad and other places. Less than 1.0% cows endup in the cow shelter place in India called "Panjaräpol."
Organic Dairy Farm: The Organic dairy farm is generally smaller than the huge factorystyle farm. It does not use antibiotics, pesticides, or hormones on the cows. There are no additives added into the milk. However, these farms also practice the following:
Keeping the cows continually pregnant Selling approximately 80% of calves to the veal or beef industry
Selling cows to slaughter houses after five or six years Therefore, organic milk is almost as cruel as regular milk.
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JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING