PANAJI/BELAGAVI
The in-bound transportation of cattle and buffalo to Goa has been banned as a precaution against the fast spreading lumpy skin disease affecting the bovine population across Goa.
The North Goa Collector has issued the order prohibiting the entry of the livestock from other States of India which will come into effect from Saturday. His South Goa counterpart is also expected to issue a similar order.
To remain into effect until further orders, the ban on the entry of cattle and buffalo is expected to adversely affect stocks of the highly consumed beef and other products, including in the tourism industry, which is bracing up to start a fresh season in early October.
Meanwhile, expressing shock and surprise over the sudden ban imposed by the Goa government, traders in Belagavi have said they will ask the Qureshi Association in Goa contact Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in this connection.
They have also sought to know how the Goa government would cater to the huge demand of beef from Goa.
"We are surprised about the sudden ban imposed by Goan authorities on supply of beef from the neighbouring cities in Karnataka and Maharashtra. As many as 40-50 cattle are sent to Goa every day from Belagavi and neighbouring towns in the district. If this is the case than how will Goan authorities cater to the demand," asked Rizwan Bepari, a leading supplier to Goa, voicing the opinion of other leading suppliers.
“We will take up the matter with the Qureshi Association in Goa and decide about the future course of action,” Bepari said.
The current outbreak of the disease, which has spread to almost 15 States, has affected 18.5 lakh animals in the country.
It is distinct from the virus that was prevalent in India in 2019, reports said, adding that 47 unique variants were found in the current version of the fatal viral disease that has killed over 80,000 cattle.
As India is the largest producer of milk in the world, the spread of LSD across the cattle population in India thus has devastating effects on the rural economy and the livelihoods of dairy farmers, the study added.
The outbreak has also caused concerns about milk production. With a production of about 210 million tonnes, India is the largest producer of milk in the world. The country is also seeing the fastest growth in production at 6 per cent, while production growth at the global level is just 2 per cent.
