India’s environmental laws and regulations must reflect what the public health crisis is showing us: that animal welfare is closely interlinked with public health, ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. The H5N1 outbreak highlights longstanding concerns about unsafe conditions in industrial livestock production. This crisis underscores the urgent need to address animal welfare within India’s environmental laws, emphasizing the interconnectedness of animal welfare, public health, ecosystem health, and biodiversity conservation under the One Health principle

H5N1 BIRD FLU

• H5N1 is a subtype of influenza A virus causing severe avian influenza in birds.
• Classified by surface proteins into 18 hemagglutinin and 11 neuraminidase subtypes (e.g., A(H1N1), A(H3N2)).
• Occasional human cases with a high mortality rate of about 60%.
• Factors Contributing to Spread:
  • Influence of climate change impacting bird behavior and territory.
  • Rising global temperatures alter bird migration and interaction, potentially aiding virus spread.
  • Sea surface temperature changes affecting marine ecosystems and wildlife health.
• Transmission to Humans and Concerns:
  • Human infection primarily through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
  • Low human-to-human transmission observed.
  • High mortality rate in human cases (about 60%) raises public health concerns if the virus becomes easily transmissible among humans while maintaining its severity.

THE BIOSECURITY ISSUE

• H5N1 Global Impact:
  • Initial spillover from chickens in Hong Kong to humans (1997).
  • First H5N1 case in India reported in Maharashtra (2006).
  • 2020-2021 outbreak spreading across 15 Indian States.
  • Cross-species transmission causing mortality in polar bears (Arctic) and seals/seagulls (Antarctica).
• Human Fatality and Transmission Risk: WHO estimates H5N1 fatality rate at 52%.
• Impact on Public Health and Awareness:
  • 463 deaths recorded among 888 diagnosed cases since 2003.
  • Urgent need for awareness on transmission risks and preventive measures.
  • Importance of monitoring and containment strategies to prevent further spread.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCERN

• Link Between H5N1 Infections and Poultry Environment:
  • Human infections primarily result from contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
  • Poultry environments, especially crowded ‘battery cages,’ contribute significantly to contamination.
• Environmental Impact of Industrial Poultry Production:
  • High-density housing of chickens leads to contaminated environments.
  • Issues include poor air quality, odour, particulate matter, and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • CPCB classifies large poultry units as polluting, requiring regulatory compliance.
  • CPCB issues closure notices to poultry units violating pollution laws.
  • Compliance and regulatory consent mandated for establishments with over 5,000 birds.
  • Importance of enforcing regulations to mitigate environmental and health risks must be evaluated
• Undesirable acts of Poultry Farmers:
  • Contract farming, large debts, and specialized skills make it hard for farmers to exit despite losses.
  • Market volatility and industry practices lead to business closures and financial strain.
  • Antibiotics are widely used for prophylaxis and growth promotion, driven by profit motives.
• Antibiotic Use and Health Concerns:
  • Critical and highly important antibiotics are commonly used in poultry for preventive purposes.
  • This practice, along with unsanitary conditions, affects animal welfare and consumer health.
  • Rising antibiotic use due to protein demand poses risks of antibiotic resistance.
• Environmental Impact and Health Hazards:
  • Animals are stocked densely in unhygienic conditions, affecting health and welfare.
  • Emissions, effluents, and waste from poultry industries impact the environment and nearby communities.
  • Residents face health issues like breathlessness and odor due to waste management problems.
• Urgent Need for Monitoring and Enforcement:
  • Excessive faecal matter becomes a pollutant, damaging crops and breeding disease vectors.
  • Legal and regulatory mechanisms must be enforced to address environmental and health risks.
  • Monitoring and compliance are crucial to mitigate the negative impacts of industrial poultry production.

LEGAL VIOLATIONS IN INDUSTRIAL ANIMAL CONFINEMENT:

• Keeping animals in intensive confinement violates the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
• Operational activities in industrial facilities lead to unnecessary pain and suffering among animals.
• Specific Violations under the PCA Act:
  • Mutilation, starvation, thirst, overcrowding, and ill-treatment are considered violations.
  • These practices cause harm and suffering, constituting legal infractions under the Act.

REFORMS

• Call for Legal Reform:
  • The 269th Law Commission of India Report (2017) highlighted issues regarding antibiotic use and animal welfare in poultry.
  • Recommendations emphasized the need for cleaner living conditions to reduce antibiotic dependency and ensure safer food.
• Weaknesses in Current Regulations:
  • Draft Rules for the egg industry (2019) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare were criticized as weak.
  • They fall short of meeting the Law Commission’s recommendations for improved animal welfare and environmental standards.
• Importance of Oversight and Compliance:
  • Strict oversight is crucial to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, especially in light of industry reclassification as highly polluting.
  • Compliance and enforcement are necessary to address the bird flu crisis and climate emergency effectively.