Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Health
GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– One Health
– Antimicrobial resistance
– Avian influenza
Context: India’s environmental laws and regulations must reflect what the public health crisis is showing us: that animal welfare is closely interlinked with public health, ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.
Source: The Hindu| Editorial dated 30th April 2024
The poultry industry needs urgent reforms
The recent outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza has underscored the urgent need to reevaluate the welfare of farmed animals within the Indian environmental and legal framework. Over the past decade, experts have repeatedly warned about the precarious conditions within industrial livestock production, highlighting the interconnectedness of animal welfare with public health, ecosystem health, and biodiversity conservation. As the One Health principle emphasizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, it becomes imperative for India’s environmental laws and regulations to reflect these concerns.
H5N1 Bird flu:
H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or “bird flu”).
- It is a subtype of the influenza A virus.
- Influenza A viruses are classified by subtypes based on the properties of their surface proteins.
- There are 18 different hemagglutinin subtypes and 11 different neuraminidase subtypes (H1 through H18 and N1 through N11, respectively).
- For example, A(H1N1) and A(H3N2).
Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a 52% fatality rate for H5N1 among humans.
- Human infections are primarily linked to contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
Origin and circulation
- H5N1 infections have been a concern since the first human cases emerged in Hong Kong in 1997.
- India reported its first H5N1 case in Maharashtra in 2006.
- Recent outbreaks in December 2020 and early 2021 affected 15 states.
- H5N1 has crossed species barriers, impacting polar bears, seals, and seagulls globally.
Concerns with Industrial Livestock Practices:
- Industrial livestock production contributes to biosecurity risks.
- Chickens are often kept in crowded, unsanitary conditions in battery cages.
- Air and waste pollution from poultry units impact public health and the environment.
- Waste management practices in poultry farming, including the disposal of faecal matter and other by-products, often lead to environmental pollution.
- The accumulation of waste can contaminate soil and water sources, posing health hazards for both humans and animals.
- Additionally, the emission of pollutants such as ammonia and methane contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Antibiotics are used prophylactically i.e as preventive medicine and as growth promoters, raising concerns about antibiotic resistance .
- Antibiotics classified as critically important by WHO are widely used in poultry farming.
- Impact on Animal Welfare:
- Intensive confinement and poor conditions violate animal welfare laws.
- Operational activities cause suffering to animals through mutilation, overcrowding, and ill-treatment.
Way Ahead:
Law Commission Report No. 269: Poultry Welfare, Recommendations:
- Draft Rules: draft rules were formulated for welfare of poultry:
- “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Egg laying Hens) Rules, 2017” – These rules would establish minimum standards for the care and housing of egg-laying hens, including requirements for cage size, nesting boxes, perches, and enrichment items.
- “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Broiler Chickens) Rules, 2017” – These rules would address similar concerns for broiler chickens, regulating housing conditions, transport practices, and slaughter methods.
- Certification: Poultry farms should be certified by Animal Husbandry Departments to ensure compliance with the draft rules and promote best practices in animal welfare.
- Improved Housing: The draft rules should delineate minimum space requirements for feeders, drinking spaces, and floor area to provide chickens with sufficient room to move around comfortably.
- Animal Welfare Provisions: The draft rules would incorporate important animal welfare provisions, including guidelines for the humane euthanasia of sick and injured animals.
Conclusion:
The current outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with industrial livestock production and the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms to address these challenges. By implementing stringent regulations and enforcement mechanisms, India can mitigate the risks posed by industrial livestock production and ensure a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
Related Topics
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960:
- Purpose: Aims to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering inflicted upon animals.
- Key Provisions:
- Duty of Care: Anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable measures to ensure its well-being and prevent unnecessary suffering.
- Specific Prohibitions: The Act outlines various acts of cruelty that are illegal, including:
- Beating, kicking, or otherwise abusing an animal.
- Subjecting an animal to unnecessary pain or suffering.
- Starving or dehydrating an animal.
- Transporting animals in cruel or overcrowded conditions.
- Performing painful experiments on animals without proper anesthesia.
- Enforcement: The Act authorizes authorities to investigate suspected cruelty and prosecute offenders. Penalties include fines and imprisonment.
References:
Prevention of cruelty to animals – India code
Related PYQ
Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription, the contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2014]
Practice Question
Discuss the interconnection between animal welfare, public health, and environmental conservation in the context of industrial livestock production in India. [150 words]