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Holy cow: Hindus urge cull alternative

Last Modified: 07 Aug 2007
By: Channel 4 News

Hindus have asked government to "explore other options" rather than slaughter cattle in the wake of the foot and mouth outbreak.

About 150 cattle have already been culled after the discovery of the disease at two farms in Surrey. Following the last foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, seven million sheep and cattle were slaughtered - prompting fears of a similar cull this summer.

The religious significance of cows for Hindus was highlighted by the recent case of Shambo, a sacred bull in Wales which was slaughtered after contracting TB.

Monks from Shambo's Hindu temple unsuccessfully campaigned for the revered animal to be saved. The prospect of thousands of cows being killed has led the Hindu Forum of Britain to urge government to avoid using slaughter to combat foot and mouth.

A spokesman for the forum, which represents 270 Hindu organisations from throughout the UK, told Channel 4 News online: "The Hindu faith holds the belief the all life is sacred, and would do everything in order to protect the sanctity of life.

Why are cows important to Hindus?

For Hindus the cow is considered sacred and its protection is a recurrent theme. The animal is a symbol of abundance, of the sanctity of all life and of the earth that gives much while asking nothing in return.

Most Hindus respect the cow as a matriarchal figure for her gentle qualities and providing nurturing milk and its products for a largely vegetarian diet.

Hindus do not worship the cow, yet it holds an honoured place in society, and it is part of Hindu tradition to avoid the consumption of beef.

"In the current climate of foot and mouth we belief in taking all the necessary preventative bio-security measures. As well as this, ask for vaccinations.

"We believe government needs to look at whether or not the slaughtering of anything that is ill is actually a wise policy. They should explore other options.

"Needless culling can lead to the creation of generations of animals that do not have natural resistance to diseases like foot and mouth. The effect that slaughter has on humans and farmers is horrifying as demonstrated by the farmers who have had their animals slaughtered.

"However, where instances occur of a heard being infected by foot and mouth then the community would obviously listen to the advice and follow the guidelines as laid down by Defra and the appointed vets as a matter of priority."

It is estimated about 560,000 Hindus live in the UK.