Modi govt's new restrictions on cattle slaughter will hurt farmers the most

The government’s move will lead to an explosion in the number of ‘stray’ cattle

Gazette No. 396, issued by the Government of India on May 23 and titled the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017’, promises to be the final death knell of cattle and buffaloes in India, and along with them, the destruction of what little remains of a dignified life and livelihood for farmers.

This completely innocuous sounding amendment, issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act – a Central law – imposes in section 22 a set of ‘Restrictions on sale of cattle’. These require the owner of cattle being brought to the market for sale, in other words the farmer, to produce and submit to the Animal Market Committee a written declaration stating that “the cattle has not been brought to the market for sale for slaughter”. In turn, the buyer of the animal has to undertake “that the animal is being bought for agriculture purposes and not slaughter”

The committee will further keep records of the sale of animals to ensure they are not resold within six months of purchase. They will also keep ID records of the buyer, seller and animal.

The rules defines ‘cattle’ to mean “cow, calf, bull, bullock, buffalo, heifer, steer and camel”.

By equating ‘slaughter’ with cruelty and criminalising the trade and transportation of animals for slaughter at animal markets as an act of cruelty, the Central government has effectively enforced a country-wide ban on the slaughter of buffaloes and cattle, and the consumption of beef, despite statements of denial from the environment minister.

Animal markets are crucial nuclei of the production cycle of animals, through which animals pass from farmers to others and vice-versa. These new rules effectively choke the free movement of animals via the market space and, more critically, completely undermine the freedom and rights of farmers, traders and all others whose livelihoods are linked to this production cycle, which ultimately is what sustains cattle and buffaloes of this country.

The right of farmers to life and livelihood is at stake: their dairy livelihoods and bullock-based agricultural livelihoods stand to be completely destroyed with this cruel law – cruel for farmers and cruel for animals.| READ MORE….

Turkey rejects EU Commissioner's claim that it prepared arrest lists before coup

Turkey rejects EU Commissioner's claim that it prepared arrest lists before coup

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has strongly rejected claims that Turkey's government had prepared arrest lists before Friday's failed coup attempt, Anadoluagency reported on Monday.

Speaking in Brussels on Monday, European Union's Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn was quoted as saying: "It looks at least as if something has been prepared. The lists are available, which indicates it was prepared and to be used at a certain stage."

He was speaking after the failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15 which claimed more than 200 lives and injured thousands. More than 6,000 suspects have been arrested in connection with the plot, including military figures and judges.

Cavusoglu later tweeted that Hahn "is far from thoroughly comprehending what is going on in Turkey". He added that Turkey's "primary expectation" from its European allies was their "support [for] the democratic process in Turkey and strong condemnation of the coupattempt".

"Turkey will never compromise on human rights, the rule of law and democracy," Cavusoglu said, adding: "Therefore, no one, including Mr Hahn, can prejudge the ongoing legal process regarding the bloody coup attempt in Turkey."

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic also strongly rejected the claims, describing them as "prejudiced". Read More

Britain's Theresa May launches bid to succeed PM Cameron post Brexit

Britain's Theresa May launches bid to succeed PM Cameron post Brexit

Interior minister Theresa May vowed to unite Britain as she launched her bid to succeed David Cameron as prime minister with a letter to The Times, the newspaper has reported.

The Conservative leader resigned in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the European Union in a June 23 referendum that sent shockwaves through the continent.

Like Cameron, May supported remaining in the bloc but played a low-key and conciliatory role in the campaign that has seen her tipped as a unifying figure.

In her letter to The Times, May announced a "mission to make Britain a country that works for everyone," according to the broadsheet yesterday.

"If you're from an ordinary, working-class family, life is just much harder than many people in politics realise," May wrote.

The appeal to working-class voters by the vicar's daughter was aimed at her main rival for the leadership, the Latin-quoting former mayor of London and prominent "Leave" campaigner Boris Johnson, who projects a more upper-class image.

Cameron promoted May, 59, to Home Secretary following his 2010 election victory and she kept the role after his 2015 re-election.

Known as a hardliner on immigration, May's stern demeanour and wardrobe of sober suits have drawn comparisons with 1980s Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Cameron's successor is expected to take office in early September. Read More

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Brexit: EU referendum voting gets undeway in UK

Brexit: EU referendum voting gets undeway in UK

Polling stations across the United Kingdom opened on Thursday morning to decide the historic referendum on whether the country should remain a member of theEuropean Union or leave the politico-economic union of 28 member states.

The voting will take place between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time.

The national referendum is the third in UK history and comes four months after battle for votes between the 'Leave' and 'Remain' campaigns.

Prime Minister David Cameron criss-crossed the country in a final effort to warn Britain's voters against rejecting the EU in the historic poll yesterday.

This decision will also read as a referendum on his premiership.

Last night, he was joined by former prime ministers Gordon Brown and Sir John Major, the Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, and the Green MP Caroline Lucas, at events in Bristol and Birmingham, reports the Guardian.

The prime minister has been pressing the message that today's decision will be irreversible and there will no coming back if the UK votes to leave the EU. Read More