State Of Dairy Cattle Rajasthan Report

Author(s): Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations
Publisher: Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations

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Hapo.org
8. Dairy Code- FIAPO
Protection of welfare in farmed dairy cattle in India
Draft outline of guidelines
Overview
The welfare of cattle should be protected by adapting their conditions and management to their biology and natural behaviour. The following principles apply to all cattle, but are intended particularly for application to farms and commercial holdings with 20 or more cattle li.e. including both adult cows and others).
Close confinement and barren housing that restrict movement and behaviour should not be used: these include short tethers and systems without bedding for cows, crates and fully slatted pens for calves. Cattle should be given a varied environment with bedding and other facilities and as much access to outdoors and natural vegetation as possible, subject to protection from extreme weather conditions. Choice of species and breed and genetic selection should not be predominantly for high milk production, which increases vulnerability to climatic extremes, suboptimal diets and physical and behavioural disorders. Cows should instead be bred and managed for robustness and longevity, and take into account the intended uses of males as well as females. Hot branding and most other mutilations should not be used, and those necessary carried out with pain relief. Management should be planned to avoid fear and distress from birth to slaughter.
Housing and environment
1. Cows should be kept in small, stable groups at low stocking density in a varied environment. When new animals are introduced, measures should be taken to avoid bullying, particularly of young animals. Individual housing should not be used except temporarily for veterinary reasons. Tethering should preferably not be used; where it is necessary the tether should not be shorter than 5m and the animal should be released daily for exercise.
2. Housing should allow free movement (for example, passageways should be wide enough for two cows to pass easily), without restrictions such as overhead electric wires. Floors should not be totally slatted, slippery or too rough, and should minimise contact with slurry.
The good management and husbandry necessary for protection of cattle welfare are also important for sustainability. Sustainability has three aspects: environmental, economic and ethical. Careful management of cattle can improve efficient use of environmental resources and decrease pollution. It can also increase economic productivity, as proper feeding and care of cows is important both for their welfare and their milk production. And ethical treatment of both people [regarding their livelihoods and food supply) and cattle is an essential part of the acceptability and applicability of policies concerning dairy farming.