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A new survey has shown cruel, barren and unsanitary conditions in which animals in local dairies in India are often kept.  

The survey commissioned by world Animal Protection says almost half of those surveyed were unaware that millions of dairy animals are being kept in illegal, unregulated local dairies in their cities and suburbs – in cruel, barren and unsanitary conditions, often deprived of their basic needs, such as access to clean water and food and being tethered their whole lives.

With almost 300 million dairy cows and buffalo, India is by far the largest dairy producer in the world. People care strongly about the welfare of animals, with 90% of respondents stating they want to see better lives for dairy animals that provide milk for them and their families, it says.

The survey also reveals almost 90% of people surveyed strongly agree dairies should be closed if they do not consider the welfare needs of dairy animals; almost 87% think the government should intervene and bring in better welfare standards and practices to protect dairy animals; nearly 90% are more likely to buy products from a company that sources from dairies adopting better animal welfare practices and 3 out of 4 who regularly buy dairy brands would be willing to pay 5-10% more for products that come from dairies offering better animal welfare.

The survey was conducted in the month of October 2016. 3000 people were interviewed across six cities in India viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. 

India is home to the worldâÂÂs largest dairy herd, with numbers continuing to grow. An ever increasing demand for milk, is pushing productivity, with dairy cattle being forced to produce milk in unnatural and highly stressful situations. Up to 50 million dairy animals are suffering every day in unacceptable conditions on dairy farms; with millions kept in illegal local dairies located in our cities and suburbs (known as urban and peri-urban dairies), the survey says.

These animals are living in in overcrowded, barren conditions, causing them immense suffering and stress. They suffer malnutrition, have inadequate sheltering and donâÂÂt have access to proper breeding and healthcare facilities.

Without intervention, millions more dairy animals will be kept cramped indoors, spending their whole lives tied up, unable to interact as herd animals and denied their basic freedoms. Dairy animals, like all animals have a right to live a life where they can express natural behaviour and be free from pain, stress, suffering, hunger and thirst.

The survey is part of World Animal ProtectionâÂÂs campaign to improve the lives of dairy cows and buffaloes used for milk production in dairies across India. We are working with corporates, milk cooperatives, retailers and industry associations to create better lives for dairy cattle; and are moving the government to improve welfare of dairy animals.

According to Gajendra Sharma, Country Director of World Animal Protection, India: It is unacceptable that animals are living in appalling conditions, not meeting their basic needs. These results show that people wasnâÂÂt better welfare for our dairy cattle, and it matters to them where their milk comes from.

“”Illegal local dairies that disregard the welfare needs of animals need to end. These dairies keep animals in conditions most people find unacceptable and also cause environmental and health concerns in our cities. We have made great progress since 2014 with the introduction of the first National Dairy Code of Practice for the Management of dairy Animals in India which offers guidance on humane and sustainable practices in our dairies. We now need to see this code implemented and enforced without delay,âÂÂâ he added.

According to Major General (Dr) R.M.Kharb, Chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India, the Board strongly supports adoption of better welfare practices for dairy animals in India by implementing the guidelines of National Code of Practices for Management of Dairy Animals which will help dairy animals live happier, healthier and more productive lives. The Board has in 2015 issued an advisory to all State Governments to implement these guidelines, he added.

World Animal Protection is calling the Department of Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India to end the suffering of dairy animals, by phasing out local dairies and implementing welfare standards that protect all dairy animals across India, the survey said.”