The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed a petition filed in 2020 challenging the constitutional validity of various provisions of Tamil Nadu Bovine Breeding Act, 2019.
The court was hearing a petition filed by S. Venkatesh of Madurai who contended the Act has been brought without any scientific study and the provisions were violative of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Environment (Protection ) Act, 1986 and also the Constitution.
The State said the Act was based on scientific reasoning, inclusive and supports breed preservation, conservation and ensures a healthy livestock population. The Act is a culmination of a series of deliberations among domain experts and other stakeholders based on established scientific principles and practices and there is no violation of any of the existing laws and rules.
A Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman said the continuous allowance of mating without any restrictions would lead to serious consequences, such as spread of diseases and deterioration in the health of animals. Hence, the introduction of regulations in the form of testing animals prior to mating through natural service, particularly in respect of indigenous breeds, would not violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
