Jammu and Kashmir Government is mulling to revise the livestock transport rules in consonance with central animal transport rules.
According to an official spokesperson, a notification in this regard has been issued by the Principal Secretary Animal, Sheep and Fisheries and Transport Department Dr. Asghar Hassan Samoon.
No bovine animal shall be carried in a goods vehicle inpublic places unless minimum space allowance to bovine weighing up to 200 kg,200-300 kg and above 400 kg is given minimum space of 1 square meter, 1.20 sqmtr, 1.40 sq mtr and 2 sq mtr respectively, read the notification.
Similarly, the notification read, no equine animal shall becarried in goods vehicle unless a minimum space allowance to stallion horse,mares (including pregnant mares), mares with foal and ponies are given minimumspace of 2.25, 2.0, 2.25 and 1.5 sq mtrs respectively.
It also read that no animal belonging to or intended for acircus, menagerie or zoo shall be carried in goods vehicle in a public spaceunless in case of a wild or ferocious animal, a suitable cage, either separatefrom or integral with the lead body of the vehicle used of sufficient strengthto contain the animal securely at all times is provided, and reasonable spacefor each animal is provided in the vehicle.
“A valid certificate by a qualified veterinarian to the effectthat the animals are in a fit condition to travel by rail or road and are notsuffering from any infectious diseases shall accompany each consignment. In theabsence of such certificate, the carrier shall refuse to accept the consignmentfor transport,” the notification reads.
The notification also reads that veterinary first-aidtransport equipment shall accompany all batches of animals besides eachconsignment shall bear a label showing in bold red letters the name, addressand telephone number of the consigner and consignee, the number and types ofanimals being transported and quality of rations and food provided.
“Suitable rope and platforms should be used for loadinganimals from vehicles, animals should be loaded after they are properly fed andgiven water. Animals in advanced stage of pregnancy shall not be mixed withyoung animals in order to avoid stampede during transportation,” thenotification reads.
The notification further states that watering arrangementson route shall be made and sufficient quantities of water shall be carried foremergency besides sufficient feed and fodder with adequate reserve shall becarried to last during the journey.