Call to provide better transportation for birds

“The Law Commission of India has submitted its 269th Report titled “Transportation and House-keeping of Egg-laying hens (layers) and Broiler Chickens” for consideration of the Government. Law Commission Chairman Justice BS Chouhan has submitted the report to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad,” explains animal activist G Arun Prasanna from People For Cattle in India (PFCI), adding that this will help better treatment of the birds. 

“These birds are transported in smallcages where they have no space to even flap their wings. There are existing rules for transportation of animals but after this, the implementation will be a lot stricter, he adds. 

“Weight of birds should be an important factor in calculation of maximum stocking density. It is also noticed that there is no regulation with respect to stocking density and other housing conditions, therefore 25 necessary amendments in regulations for housing and stocking density of broiler birds and other relevant provisions in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Broiler Chicken) Rules, 2017 are expressed,” he says. 

The Commission has now recommended certification of poultry farms by the Animal Husbandry Departments of the States, where a distinction of produce obtained from cagefree egg farming from that obtained from battery cage farming, is drawn. “Now, the poultry farms must have enough space for the birds to move around and they must be provided with enough food and water. Proper health certificate should be issued before transporting them. Also, they will have to be slaughtered in legal slaughter houses. Currently, shops slaughter chickens in their premises, which will have to stop once the norms are in place,” said Arun.