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Use of Oxytocin in cattle to improve milk production
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Saturday, 18 March, 2006, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Johnson Napier, Mumbai
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er the use of Oxytocin chemical in buffaloes to improve milk production, though an NDTV exposé had the dairy stables resorting to its rampant use. Despite the denials, it is still possible that some dairies, especially the private stables, will be using the dangerous chemical in order to increase the daily yield.
A recent blow-up by one of the top news channels in the country over the use of the chemical Oxytocin, injected specially in cattle under stress or unable to produce much milk, has not gone down well with the dairy Unions throughout the country.
Of the limited dairies that Food and Beverage News spoke to, almost all of them denied the existence or the use of the chemical in animals.
"We at Warana don't advise on the usage of Oxytocin to our farmers and vehemently oppose its usage. It only gives a temporary benefit, but in long-term perspective it is very harmful for the animal," says D G Ghewari, quality in-charge, Warana Dairy, Kolhapur.
"Instead, we offer our farmers' quality cattle feed comprising mineral and vitamin mix to enhance the producing capacity of the cattle."
Echoing in sync, Dr G S Jayaprakash Reddy, managing director, Karnataka Milk Federation, stated, "Injecting Oxytocin for quick release of milk from the udder is a wrong practice. We do not subscribe to this idea of early milking method. The hormone is harmful to human beings too."
According to him, the farmers of Karnataka state do not follow this method. Moreover, Oxytocin is injected in animals which do not let down in certain conditions and to help the calf to suckle (as a therapeutic treatment) and not for regular milking.
Kamble, the deputy secretary of Aarey, while asserting that it does not make use of any drugs which is banned by the government or against the law, said that it was for the food authorities to tackle the matter. "I am not aware of any such thing, but if it so exists, it is for the state FDA to intervene and bring the guilty to task," he said.
The use of Oxytocin was restricted after it was discovered that a growing number of farmers were injecting it daily.
The Animal Welfare Board set up following an Act of Parliament in 1962 has been trying to educate farmers against it. Ironically, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 has made the indiscriminate use of Oxytocin a punishable offence.
The Act says: "If anyone injects a milch animal with any substance to improve lactation which is injurious to the health of the animal, he shall be fined Rs 1000 or jailed for up to two years or both. The animal shall also be confiscated by the government."
According to the food authorities in Maharashtra, no such practice exists in the state and moreover it is on the farmers to advocate sensibility in using the chemical.
"A recent check on the numerous dairies including Gokul, Mahananda and the others in Mumbai and Thane did not show the chemical being used in animals," said N D Patil, Assistant Joint Commissioner, Thane FDA. According to him, it was upto the farmers not to use the chemical though there was no such ban on its use in animals.
Moreover, it's not just animals alone who pay a price for the hormone injection. People drinking the same milk are also at risk. According to the Animal Welfare Board, a substantial part of the Oxytocin could be seeping into the milk. And children are the most susceptible to its effects. It is known to impair both hearing and eyesight and result in loss of energy and exhaustion.
"Unfortunately people who consume this milk do not know that the milk has Oxytocin, as it is not labelled. If they consume this milk then there can be problems like neo natal jaundice, eyesight,gastric problems. It can also lead to early puberty," said Dr Vinod Sharma, Chief Veterinary Surgeon.
Also testing for Oxytocin in milk is difficult. Once injected into cattle the hormone breaks down in the body in a couple of minutes, but it retains its harmful effects.
"We have done lots of research. It does bring about changes in the milk. While it may not show up, the other minerals, fats and proteins in milk is changed," said Dr Sharma.
Whether or not the chemical is used now remains at the mercy of farmers. But it is ultimately the milk Unions who will have to take a stand, as it is due to the increased demand for milk that they resort to such unruly practices.
-- With bureau inputs from Mumbai and Bangalore
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