INDIAN CATTLE

Early day motion 1162, tabled 20 November 2000 by Ashok Kumar (Labour). Signed by 36 members.

That this House notes that the constitution of India prohibits the cruel treatment of cows, bullocks and buffaloes being taken to slaughter, and that the Indian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act mandate that all animals shall receive humane treatment; recognises the protests being voiced by the international community, and by Indian citizens resident in the United Kingdom, regarding the need for Indian authorities to enforce India's animal transport and slaughter laws; believes, with deep disappointment, that it is common practice during the transport and slaughter of Indian cattle for them to be overloaded onto lorries, particularly in border crossings from Tamil Nadu into Karnataka and Kerala, to be marched hundreds of miles without food or water, to have their tails intentionally broken and their eyes deliberately injured with tobacco and chilli peppers to compel them to stand when they collapse, and for their final slaughter often to be inhumane; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to urge the Indian Government to immediately engage in meaningful discussions directed toward the consistent and effective enforcement of the current laws prohibiting cruelty to animals.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour/Co-operative 2.