Ban on Female Animals Slaughtering and Idea of Livestock Bank | مادہ جانور کے ذبح پر پابندی اور لائیوسٹاک بینک کا آئیڈیا
Ban on Female Animals Slaughtering and Idea of Livestock Bank | مادہ جانور کے ذبح پر پابندی اور لائیوسٹاک بینک کا آئیڈیا ۔۔ مضامینِ نو، ڈاکٹر محمد جاسر آفتاب | Explore the proposal to ban the slaughter of breeding female animals in Pakistan and the innovative concept of a Livestock Bank to protect livestock resources while supporting farmers. Column by Dr. Muhammad Jasir Aftab.
لائیوسٹاک بنک اور مادہ جانوروں کے ذبح پر پابندی
مفید اور قابل افزائش مادہ جانوروں کے ذبح پر پابندی کا مطالبہ
Slaughter of Animals in Pakistan
Calves, goats, goats, etc. are slaughtered for meat in large numbers in Pakistan on a daily basis. There are laws in this regard and slaughterhouses at the tehsil level as well. The officer-in-charge of the slaughterhouse and meat inspectors are responsible for ensuring the quality of the meat. The blue seal on the meat is affixed by these responsible persons, which is proof that this meat is suitable for health.
Slaughter of Female Animals
If we talk about female animals, they are traditionally not preferred for meat. That is why those who recognize the quality of meat prefer the meat of male animals. On the other hand, the law prohibits the slaughter of breeding, pregnant and lactating female animals. But usually, along with male animals, female animals are also slaughtered. Similarly, a large number of young animals of these animals are also slaughtered. If we talk about Karachi, instead of taking milk from buffaloes that are not capable of giving milk in the next cycle, they are handed over to butchers on dairy farms. Similarly, a large number of newborn goats are also slaughtered on a daily basis and allegedly sold in the name of mutton.
Demand for a Ban on Slaughter of Breeding Females
The All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and other high-ranking officials, demanding a ban on the slaughter of breeding females and their young. The position was that the slaughter of breeding females and their young may lead to a severe shortage of female animals. If female animals continue to be slaughtered at this rate, local animal breeds will become extinct. It was demanded that this process of animal genocide be stopped.
Support from the Animal Husbandry Commissioner
This position has been fully supported by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner of Pakistan and a letter was written to the provincial chief secretaries a few weeks ago in this regard. The Animal Husbandry Commissioner has requested that the relevant institutions be issued instructions to ensure a ban on the slaughter of female animals.
Challenges in Implementing the Ban
This position is correct that the slaughter of female animals should be banned and there are laws in this regard. But on the other hand, there are some problems related to it. Farmers are of the opinion that female animals are sold in case of some financial difficulty. In case of marriage or any emergency, people sell their household animals. They make a living by selling goats etc. for a small amount. If a strict ban is imposed on the slaughter of female animals, it will close this path for the farmer.
There is also a position in this regard that imposing a ban will not stop the slaughter of female animals, however, it will open a new path for bribery because our system is weak and we are facing many problems related to administrative matters. In case of ban, the officer will demand money from the farmer while shouting and the forced farmer will be forced to pay a bribe.
The Idea of a Livestock Bank
To solve this problem, Mian Abdul Hanan of All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association has suggested that a livestock bank should be established at the provincial level in collaboration with the Livestock Department. The farms of the Livestock Department should be the main part of the bank, while a plan of action should be made to run this bank in collaboration with the State Bank. Keeping in mind the difficulties of farmers and rural culture, this bank should launch different products.
Interest-Free Support for Farmers
One case may be that the farmer deposits his female animal in the bank and gets money without interest. During this time, in return for the care of the animal, the bank should use the animal’s milk and get babies from it. After a certain period of time, the farmer can return the animal and take it back. Some conditions can also be fixed in this that in case of return of the animal, the price decided by the committee will be paid to the bank.
It is also possible that the government may provide relief to the farmer in the form of subsidy and return the animal at the same price at which it became part of the bank.
Selling Animals to the Livestock Bank
Another possibility is that the farmer may sell his animal to the bank. After taking care of the animal, the bank may sell it in the market or make it part of its business. In this case, a revolving fund may be established.
It is not necessary for the government to be directly involved in establishing the bank. Private banks can be involved in this. The government itself can also start such a project in collaboration with welfare institutions. In this regard, there is no need for infrastructure anywhere because the hospitals and dispensaries of the Livestock Department can work as branches of the bank, while the farms of the Livestock Department can be used for taking care of the animals.
A Pilot Project for the Future
It would not be wise to implement this project in the entire country at the same time. Initially, it should be started as a pilot project in one or two districts. When a model emerges, it should be spread across the country. A plan should be formulated for the establishment of such a livestock bank in which there should be no difficulties for the farmers.
The system should be such that any farmer in difficulty can hand over his female animal to the bank and benefit from its products very easily. On the other hand, the slaughter of female animals should be completely banned and it should be strictly implemented.
