Our Report--“The White Truth” is a repository of the work done by World Animal Protection in India to improve the lives of dairy animals. Eight Year Journey to improve the lives of Dairy Animals in India.
The story of Sita
“Sita was playing, hopping on the grass under that vast blue sky and breathing the fresh air in our backyard. We took care of Sita by providing her favorite food and lots of water. And in return, she provided us with yummy milk. She was just like our family member and we treated her with all the love and care. One day, she was not in our backyard. I searched for her everywhere but couldn’t find a clue. She must have lost track while eating her favorite food and enjoying the open grasslands. While searching for Sita, I reached a huge place that looked like a factory. A lot of cry callings were coming from inside. I peeped and noticed there is a number of Cows like Sita stuck into some machines which are sucking their milk forcefully. They are tied up with ropes, don’t have space to play just as they had in our backyard. The place is dark enough to not see each other. I couldn’t do more but landed up in dilemma. Why so many Sita are tortured like this when they can be our family members?"
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The demand for milk is increasing the pressure on farm animals
There was a time when we used to do traditional farming and get products from our animal friends without any pressure. With the ever-increasing population, growing urbanization, increasing purchase power, and the demand for milk and milk products, from the current production of 155 million tons, it is estimated that the total milk production should be around 200 million tons by the year 2030 to meet the demand. To service this demand for milk, the pressure is increasing on animals to produce milk in low welfare situations.
The increasing demand and ongoing pressure to reduce the costs of production has intensified animal production without taking care of animal welfare. Apart from these, modern commercial practices have also raised concerns about animal welfare. Traditional farming may yield less, but there is sufficient quality attached to its yield and most importantly Animal welfare is considered for their better lives.
The Better Dairy Campaign
This is how we started our journey towards better lives of dairy animals by launching “Better Dairy” campaign in 2012. The project was started to ensure that dairy animals can lead a life where they are loose housed, have a
good quality feed and clean water, get proper medical attention, and have good shelter for resting. This work has helped to identify how dairy farming can best futureproof itself from the business risks associated with poor welfare practices. You can also watch the video to know what's in your milk:
India Dairy Report- The White Truth
We are launching our “The White Truth” report which is a repository of the work done by World Animal Protection in India to improve the lives of dairy animals. During the eight yearlong project, we have released two important reports which outlines the practices of high welfare dairy systems. The reports are-- National Code of Practices for Management of Dairy Animals in India and Business Case Study for Higher Dairy Welfare. We conducted various offline public mobilization and engagement events to spread awareness on the suffering of dairy animals amongst the masses. We already have over 78,000 supporters who have signed up to our petition asking for better welfare for dairy animals.
Read The India Dairy Report - The White Truth
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Animal Welfare Commitment
We have received animal welfare commitment from 9 nine companies (Ananda, Arvind Dairy, Danone, Happy Milk, Vrindavan, The Way We Were, Mukhi Dairy, Kisan, and Sahiwal dairy farm) impacting over five lakh dairy animals. Over 100 restaurants/outlets from Indian Coffee House, Mr. Brown, and Lansdowne Travel Trip Café have signed the Better dairy pledge. They have acknowledged the growing importance of animal welfare and food safety within India with a steady movement toward sustainable production and consumption practices. We, thereby, support the cause towards the higher welfare of dairy cattle in all operations. The ideas of food companies holding responsibilities in regard to animal welfare can surely influence the welfare of farm animals. The individual company’s commitment can be a major driving force to create this mass movement of animal welfare in the country.
Animal Welfare is a global common good
The health and welfare of the animals is a known barometer of the health and welfare of any food business. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Animal welfare is a global common good which forms an integral part of the responsible development of the livestock sector. Even a number of studies have quantified the economic returns of animal welfare and have shown that the application of animal welfare standards and practices can indeed contribute to increasing food security and income. Eventually, the care and nutrition given to animals will, in turn, provide a healthy supply of food to humans.
"One Health" for humans and animals
We need to work together to build ‘one health’ for humans and animals. Different Businesses can play a vital role in changing the world by reworking the food system and make it sustainable. World Animal Protection’s vision is to transform the global food system to ensure farm animals live a better life. This can only be done when farm animals have the means and opportunities to express natural behaviour, room to move and to socialise with others of their own kind, and to feel pleasure.
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It’s high time to rethink our system and we must follow the right path to transform the global food system.
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We can all take action every day to transform this system by choosing plant-based foods and high welfare options, eating less meat, and demanding a better life for farm animals.
Our vision is to transform the global food system to ensure farm animals live a better life. This can only be done when farm animals have the means and opportunities to express natural behaviour, room to move and to socialise with others of their own kind, and to feel pleasure.