Activist writes to government on rampant use of oxytocin on cows

Stating that awareness about the harmful effects of the drug is severely lacking among the farmers, animal rights activist R Natarajan said he wrote to the Home Secretary on Friday to emphasise the importance of tackling the issue immediately. 

“This information must reach all police stations. I had approached the Director General of Police to enquire what steps have been taken in this regard. Besides putting up this notice in Tamil, the image should be clear that even a person who can’t read is able to comprehend it and avoid using the drug. We are also stressing the need for people to file a complaint if they notice its use,” he added. 

The drug, which the farmers have been using for years, was banned by the central government in 2014, due to the dangerous health effects it has both on cows as well as on the consumers of cow milk. Anyone possessing or administering the drug can be punished with six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000. 

“There are no billboards or posters outside veterinary hospitals or police stations about the ban. If people are sensitised, they would be able to complain when they witness its use,” Natarajan added. 

“However, frequent use of the drug decreases the lifespan of cattle, besides causing health hazards to consumers,” said a veterinarian. 

“The drug should be consumed only under the supervision of a doctor and its use on cows can slowly poison the animal, besides being toxic for the consumers of cow milk, especially children. Realising these, the Animal Husbandry Department had banned the use of the drug on cows,” said Dr B Sridhar, a general physician, highlighting the need to make the public aware. 

Natarajan had filed an RTI petition, which is contributing in creating social awareness for change. “The Animal Husbandry Department has urged the state government to sanction funds to the tune of Rs 12.22 lakh to take up various awareness campaigns,” he said.