Stringent norms for transportation of livestock by Kerala Government

The Kerala state government has notified stringent rules for livestock transportation. These rules are aimed at curbing cruelty to animals and this has been notified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways by amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 and by inserting a separate rule, 125 E, in the principal rules.

According to these rules, from January 1, 2016, the motor vehicles carrying animals should have permanent partitions so that the animals being transported are carried individually in each partition. For cows and buffaloes the partition should be 2 sq.m., while for horses and mares it should be 2.25 sq. m. The partition size should be 0.3 sq. m. for sheep and goats, 0.6 sq. m. for pigs, and 40 sq. cm. for poultry. The specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards will have to be followed by the transporter or consigner of livestock. The motor vehicles meant for carrying animals will not be permitted to carry any other goods. The Regional Transport Officers have been asked to issue special licences for such vehicles.

At present, the transportation of animals falls under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 that came into force in 1978 and was amended in 2001 and 2009. The implementation of the rules had come in for criticism as it was a non-cognizable offence and the penalty was Rs. 50.

These rules will improve health of the animals and drastically improve the livestock transportation in the country and reduce the cruelty meted out to them.

However, the cost of transportation of livestock will go up as the transporters will be able to ferry only fewer animals in a vehicle.