The poultry industry needs urgent reforms 

Historical Context

The H5N1 virus first infected humans via chickens in Hong Kong in 1997. In India, the initial H5N1 case was reported in Maharashtra in 2006. By December 2020 and early 2021, the outbreak had spread across 15 states. This highly contagious pathogen has breached species barriers, causing fatalities among diverse wildlife, from polar bears in the Arctic to seals and seagulls in Antarctica. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a 52% fatality rate for H5N1 since 2003, with 463 deaths among 888 confirmed cases. Human infections are typically linked to close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.

Industrial Livestock Practices

Industrial poultry farming practices exacerbate biosecurity risks. Chickens are often confined in overcrowded wire cages, known as 'battery cages', leading to poor air quality, waste accumulation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Poultry units with over 5,000 birds are classified as polluting industries by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), necessitating regulatory compliance. Despite some closures due to violations, poultry farmers struggle to exit the industry due to debts and specialized skills, facing market volatility and industry pressures.

Antibiotic Misuse

Antibiotics are routinely administered to poultry for prophylactic and growth promotion purposes, contributing to antibiotic resistance. Critical antibiotics are widely used in livestock farming, raising concerns about human health implications. Day-old chicks receive antibiotics to prevent diseases, a practice highlighted by investigative reports. Such practices compromise animal welfare, human health, and environmental integrity.

Environmental and Health Impacts

Intensive confinement of animals leads to environmental degradation and health risks. Emissions, effluents, and solid wastes generated by poultry farms affect humans, animals, and ecosystems. Manure accumulation exceeds land capacity, posing pollution risks and breeding disease vectors. Residents suffer from respiratory issues due to insecticide use to control flies.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Industrial livestock practices violate animal welfare laws, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. Animals endure mutilation, overcrowding, and other forms of mistreatment, contravening ethical and legal standards. Effective monitoring and enforcement of regulatory measures are urgently needed to address these challenges.

2. Path to Legal Reform in Poultry Industry

Law Commission's Recommendations

The 269th Law Commission of India Report in 2017 highlighted concerns raised by the Tata Memorial Centre regarding antibiotic misuse in poultry farming, leading to antibiotic resistance. The report emphasized the importance of hygienic living conditions for animals to reduce the need for constant antibiotic administration, thereby enhancing food safety. It proposed draft rules for the welfare of chickens in the meat and egg industries, aligning with existing laws and international standards for animal care, waste management, and antibiotic usage.

Challenges with Draft Rules

Despite the Law Commission's recommendations, the Draft Rules for the egg industry, released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in 2019, are deemed inadequate and superficial. They fall short of meeting the proposed guidelines for animal welfare and food safety.

Need for Stringent Oversight

Given the reclassification of the poultry industry as a highly polluting 'orange category' industry by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there is a pressing need for rigorous oversight to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Strict enforcement mechanisms are essential to address the environmental impact of poultry farming and mitigate pollution risks.

Addressing Public Health and Environmental Concerns

In light of the recent bird flu outbreak and the climate emergency, urgent action is required to address the challenges posed by industrial poultry farming. Enhancing regulatory frameworks and enforcing stringent rules are critical steps towards safeguarding public health and mitigating environmental degradation associated with the poultry industry.

H5N1, commonly known as avian influenza or bird flu, is a highly pathogenic strain of the influenza virus that primarily affects birds. However, it can occasionally infect humans and other mammals, posing significant public health concerns.

Origins and Transmission

H5N1 was first identified in domesticated geese in China in 1996. Since then, it has spread rapidly across Asia, Europe, and Africa, mainly through migratory bird populations. The virus primarily circulates among birds, particularly waterfowl, but can also infect domestic poultry such as chickens and ducks. Humans can contract H5N1 through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments, but sustained human-to-human transmission is rare.

Public Health Impact

H5N1 infections in humans can cause severe respiratory illness and have a high mortality rate, with approximately 60% of reported cases resulting in death. However, the overall number of human cases is relatively low compared to other strains of influenza, and human-to-human transmission is limited. Nevertheless, the potential for H5N1 to mutate into a more easily transmissible form remains a significant concern for global health authorities.

Environmental and Economic Impact

Outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry can have devastating consequences for the agricultural sector, leading to mass culling of birds, trade restrictions, and economic losses for farmers and industries. Moreover, the environmental impact of large-scale poultry farming, including the spread of the virus to wildlife populations and contamination of water sources, exacerbates ecological concerns.

Prevention and Control

Efforts to control the spread of H5N1 focus on surveillance, early detection, and containment measures in both bird and human populations. This includes monitoring wild bird migrations, implementing biosecurity measures on poultry farms, and promoting public awareness about safe handling and consumption of poultry products. Vaccination programs for poultry and antiviral treatments for humans are also part of the comprehensive approach to preventing and managing H5N1 outbreaks.

The One Health principle is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and environmental health. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing health issues at the interface of humans, animals, and ecosystems to promote overall well-being and prevent disease.

Key components of the One Health approach include

• Bringing together professionals from human health, animal health, environmental science, and other related fields to work together on health issues that affect multiple species and environments.
• Recognizing that human health, animal health, and environmental health are interconnected and that addressing health challenges in one sector can have broader implications across ecosystems and populations.
• Prioritizing proactive measures such as surveillance, vaccination, and environmental management to prevent the emergence and spread of infectious diseases that can affect humans, animals, and the environment.
• Assessing and managing the risks associated with zoonotic diseases (those that can be transmitted between animals and humans) and other health threats that arise at the human-animal-environment interface.
• Promoting awareness and understanding of the links between human, animal, and environmental health among policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and the general public.