Compensation Demanded for 3,000 Paralysed Cattle
PAKISTAN - Hundreds of dairy farmers have demanded the government compensate them for the loss of their cattle stock in the last one week, but the government has yet to respond.
3 December 2007
1 minute read
“Those of the opinion that this is a conspiracy theory by the farmers are really out to hurt their business,”
Dairy Farmers Association (KDFA) general secretary, Munawar Khan.
Around 300 to 400 buffaloes died after eating a truckload of bakery waste while about 3,000 have become paralyzed, making them useless. The farmers and the government alike have rejected any conspiracy, saying that such incidents have occurred two or three times in the past.
“Those of the opinion that this is a conspiracy theory by the farmers are really out to hurt their business,” said Karachi Dairy Farmers Association (KDFA) general secretary, Munawar Khan. He explained that germs and fungus develop on bakery products after being kept for a while. There are also chances that the food might have come in contact with some sort of insecticide or pesticide making it toxic for the cattle.
Despite the dead cattle, there are another 2,500 to 3,000 buffaloes that have been paralyzed, making them unable to stand, feed or produce milk — in essence rendering them useless to the farmers.
Khan termed the city government’s effort of sending a 20-man veterinary team to tackle the situation, “a lollypop” in face of the loss — one cattle costs Rs 50,000 approximately.
Source: Daily Times
