Hotels in Ernakulam ban beef

The supply of animals in Kerala has come down as more than 70 per cent of the cattle used for beef comes from other states, mainly from Tamil Nadu

The Ernakulam district unit of the Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA) has directed its members to stop the sale of dishes prepared with beef, as the foot-and-mouth disease was spreading in the district and other areas.

The disease is highly prevalent in Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts and death toll now rose to 5,000. While various cattle farms in Idukki district reported the attack of the disease, around 30 cows died in a farm in just one week. In this context, the KHRA had directed its members to stop serving beef as a precautionary step. A huge drop in milk production was also reported from various parts of Kerala.

Sale of beef in Kerala dropped 40 per cent over reports on the spread of the disease across the state and Tamil Nadu. Comparatively, the drop was significant in urban areas as against rural parts. Against this backdrop, sale of beef for the Christmas and New Year season has dropped significantly.

The disease has now been detected on wild animals too.

K A Jaleel, a Kochi-based beef stall owner attributed the drop to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and the ongoing Shabarimala Mandalam season in almost all parts of Kerala. On account of outbreak of the disease across south India, the Kerala government has announced an indefinite ban on cattle and meat imports into the state. The infectious disease creates blisters in the mouth and feet of bovines and other cloven- hoofed animals.

Minister for agriculture and animal husbandry KP Mohanan said there would be no ban on milk and diary products. He said there was concern over the failure of vaccine for preventing the disease, adding the department of animal husbandry would conduct examination in this regard.

Mohanana also said check-posts would be closed and officials of various departments concerned would be deployed to conduct inspection. District collectors and other authorities would be asked to conduct strict checking to prevent the illegal entry of cattle through other routes from across the border.

The supply of animals in Kerala has also come down as more than 70 per cent of the cattle used for beef comes from other states, mainly from Tamil Nadu. The disease was also detected in deers in various zoos. A majority of farmers are now disposing off their cattle at whatever prices they get. "It is absolutely dangerous to use beef now, " said K N Krishnadas, a professional vetenary doctor.

The disease, which broke out in August this year, has resulted in a huge loss to the dairy farmers. The dairy sector recorded a fall in production of 6.35 million litres of milk worth Rs 17.80 crore.  So far, 1,363 head of cattle have been lost  due to the disease. Of this, around 357 were cows, 470 are calves. While 31 goats and 120 pigs have reportedly died owing to this. The disease had been detected on roughly 25,000 cattle across the state.

It  has been reported from all the 14 districts, but the most affected are Kollam and Palakkad. It is believed the disease had spread through cattle brought from other states. While most of the cows died in Kollam district, most number of infected cattle were in Palakkad.

There was an increase in the number of infected cows in Thrissur district. Kerala agriculture minister said the government would provide Rs 20,000 as assistance to the farmers of the affected cattle. 

Chicken prices increase
Meawhile, the foot- and-mouth disease has helped chicken prices rise to Rs 90 per kg from Rs 82.

K P Cherian, a farm owner, told Business Standard there was a shift towards chicken now, but the sale was not picking up fast due to the Mandalam season. Generally, meat sales witness a drop during the Mandalam season. A year ago, chicken sale dropped by around 40 per cent following reports that the birds were injected with the serum of Filariasis for getting maximum weight in a minimum period. Prior to this, Kerala had a severe attack of Anthrax, killing hundreds of animals.