The Assam government has prohibited the manufacture, sale and use of gestation and farrowing crates with insufficient space in pig farms, officials said on Tuesday.
Assam's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD) Director Indira R. Kalita, in a circular to all zonal and district officials of the department across the state, said that the gestation and farrowing crates are being manufactured and sold illegally and issued in pig farms in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
"In the said metal crates, there is insufficient space and it is problematic for the sow (mother pig) and piglets to move since they are to live on their own feces and urine. Further it causes sores and diseases. It is, therefore, asked to prohibit manufacture, sale and use of this type of gestation and farrowing crates in pig farms under your jurisdiction," the circular said.
Meanwhile, the PETA, in a statement on Tuesday, claimed that following its appeal to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and use of gestation and farrowing crates in pig farming, the Director of the AHVD has issued a circular to the concerned officers of all districts, mandating compliance with the group's request within their jurisdictions.
PETA said that confining animals in this way is illegal, a position confirmed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's National Research Centre on Pig, and is further reiterated in the Assam government's circular.
It said that Assam, home to the highest population of pigs in the country, is the latest of 20 states and Union Territories to issue such directions against the housing of pigs in these contraptions.
Other governments that have issued such kind of circulars include Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
"PETA India commends Assam for standing up for countless pigs and sparing them the severe cruelty of such crates," said PETA India Advocacy Officer, Farhat Ul Ain, in in a statement.
Gestation crates (aka 'sow stalls') are metal cages, essentially the size of a pig, with concrete or slatted floors. In them, pigs are unable to turn around or even stand up without difficulty.
These devices confine pregnant pigs, who are typically transferred to farrowing crates to give birth and are kept in them until their piglets are taken away. Farrowing crates are fundamentally the same as gestation crates, except that they contain small side compartments for piglets.
Manipur Police arrest 11 militants, recover large cache of arms, ammunition
The Manipur Police arrested 11 militants belonging to various banned outfits and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during the past 24 hours, officials said here on Friday.
PM Modi unveils 21-point action plan at 6th BIMSTEC Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented a comprehensive 21-point action plan during the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, laying out an ambitious road map for cooperation across diverse sectors.
ED raids multiple premises of 'Empuraan' producer Gokulam Gopalan
Amid the controversy surrounding Malayalam film ‘Empuraan’ starring superstar Mohanlal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at multiple premises linked to film’s producer Gokulam Gopalan.
SC declines PIL seeking restriction of social media platforms for kids below 13 years
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent judicial intervention to regulate access to social media platforms for children below 13 years of age.
BIMSTEC Summit: PM Modi, Yunus meet amid strained ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a bilateral meeting with Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of Bangladeshi interim government, on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
Rupee strengthens against dollar amid Trump's reciprocal tariffs
The Indian rupee witnessed sharp gains on Friday at below 85 against dollar, as the dollar index and oil prices dropped sharply amid concerns over recession in the US economy after the reciprocal tariffs were announced.
Quad to send $20 million relief support to earthquake-ravaged Myanmar
Quad members Australia, India, Japan, and the United States on Friday collectively committed over $20 million in humanitarian assistance to support the relief efforts for the earthquake-devastated Myanmar.
'Waqf Bill will benefit Muslims, no threat to religious sites,' says Shahabuddin Razvi
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, the National President of All India Muslim Jamaat, expressed his support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that it would significantly benefit Muslims and ensure the betterment of their socio-economic conditions.