Restriction on the resale of cattle must be removed

IT is a measure of how serious the cessation of grass growth in drought hit areas is that the requirement on farmers to hold cattle for at least 45 days after purchase is back in the limelight.

More farmers have become newly aware of this restriction because grass shortage has forced them to dispose of livestock earlier than originally planned, only to find that this outdated regulation legally impeded the early re-sale of cattle. There seems to be no good reason why this residue of former disease scares should remain in force.

It’s even discriminatory against farmers because a “dealer” is entitled to resell an animal the day after buying it.