Maharashtra government has decided to regulate the movement and management of cattle.
The officials of animal husbandry department have appealed to the cattle owners across the state to get their livestock ear tagged before June 1. Additionally, cattle from other states will be prohibited from entering Maharashtra without ‘ear tagging’.
The ear tagging system is a part of the National Digital Livestock Mission of the central government with multiple objectives. This initiative is aimed at preventing the illegal transportation and slaughter of animals.
This has been made mandatory even while buying and selling animals. The sale of untagged animals at weekly markets, and villages will also be banned, besides treatment at veterinary hospitals.
Also, cattle owners will not be offered veterinary services at government institutions and clinics if their cattle do not have the tags.
Ear tagging involves putting on display a 12-digit barcode for the cattle. The barcode records their birth, vaccination schedule, medical treatment history and ownership details.
For comprehensive livestock management, it is now mandatory for all gram panchayats, municipal councils, and corporations within the district to ensure ear tagging of their livestock and their registration on the system.
After June 1, veterinary services will also be denied to untagged livestock at veterinary institutions and clinics. Additionally, the slaughter of buffaloes without tags will not be permitted in slaughterhouses.