Milk production hit in TN by foot-and-mouth disease

, Dec 4: The current outbreak of Foot and Mouth

(FMD) among cattle has significantly hit

production in

, prompting dairy farmers to seek intervention, including vaccination on a war-footing.

Government taking measures to control the spread of virus

The daily procurement has come down by about four lakh litres a day, according to Tamil Nadu Milk Producers' Welfare Association (TNMPWA) President K A Sengottuvel. Concerned over the impact of the viral disease, which has been reported in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka, a delegation of the Association is planning to meet ministers concerned and top officials later this week.

Sengottuvel said procurement of milk by Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation Limited (AAVIN), an apex body of 17 District Cooperative Milk Producers' Unions, has come down to 23 lakh litres from 27 lakh litres per day in view of the FMD.

Alleging that authorities had failed to take required measures, he pitched for a vaccination drive on a "warfooting" to prevent further spread of the virus. "The issue is normally the Animal Husbandry department officials identify a location and conduct a vaccination drive in that particular place. Instead of such a practice, we want the vaccination drive to be held in all localities simultaneously", he told PTI.

"Just like conducting a Polio camp in various localities on a particular day, we want vaccination drive to be conducted for cattle on a particular day so that the spread of the virus can be largely prevented", Senguttuvel said.

He said about 15 lakh cattle owners cater to the needs of AAVIN and private companies. Stating that many cows had died because of the disease, he said "we want compensation from the Government".

Meanwhile, a top official of the Animal Husbandry department claimed that the Government has been taking all measures to control the spread of the virus in the state.

"We are taking all precautionary measures to control the outbreak. With the help of veterinary doctors and District Collectors we are conducting special camps to vaccinate cows", the official, who did not wish to be named, told PTI.

PTI