Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
5) Use of antibiotics in poultry poses health risks to all and should be strictly banned. Critically analyse.(250 words)
Why this question
Poultry production and consumption in India has been growing steadily and most of the domestic production is under intensive system. Poultry industry is heavily dependent on the use of antibiotics, which poses several health concerns. The question is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-
Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to highlight the reasons behind antibiotics use in poultry and discuss its adverse effects on the health. We have to form a personal opinion based on that discussion.
Directive word
Critically analyse- we have to see all the aspects of the question- why antibiotics are used in raising poultry and what are its health effects. We have to present our personal opinion on the issue also.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- Present some statistics about use of antibiotics in poultry or mention the growth in production and consumption of poultry meat in India.
Body–
- discuss the need of using antibiotics in raising poultry. (e.g as growth promoter it improves feed conversion ratio, thereby decreasing costs of production.
- discuss the health effects. ( e.g increased antibiotic resistance, allergy, environmental pollution and hence risk to non meat eaters also etc.)
- Discuss the efforts directed to reduce or stop antibiotics use in poultry. Mention national action program on antibiotics etc.
Conclusion- mention the imperative to stop antibiotics use and present a way forward- stricter standards, use of probiotics and prebiotics in place of antibiotics etc.
