Foot and Mouth Disease Endangers ISKCON Cows in UK
By Vipramukha Swami

Mayapur, India - (March 8, 2001): A recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease is threatening ISKCON cows in the United Kingdom. Bhaktivedanta Manor, ISKCON's European Headquarters, presently has about 30 cows and bulls who may become infected with the disease if proper precautions are not taken.

The government of the United Kingdom is presently slaughtering thousands of non-ISKCON animals, mainly sheep, pigs and cows, to stop the spread of the disease.

"We are taking what precautions we can," reports Panca-pandava dasa, temple manager of Bhaktivedanta Manor. "If the disease gets within a 15 mile radius of the Manor we have decided to close the temple completely, not letting anyone in or out."

In the meantime, only the Goshalla staff are allowed on the fields or up to the goshalla. They have to disinfect their shoes before going onto the goshalla grounds.

"The Holi festival on Sunday has been cancelled to reduce the number of people coming as there is nowhere for them to park," Panca-pandava says. "We are about to put a disinfected straw bed accross the drive so that vehicles wheels are disinfected as they come onto the property."

Panca-pandava says that the cows are being kept inside the sheds and barns for their own protection. "There is little else we can do as the disease can be carried on the wind for miles, it can also be carried by birds. So we are praying to Krishna to protect the cows."

Devotees are being asked to please pray for the protection of Krishna's cows at Bhaktivedanta Manor.

© CHAKRA 10 March 2001

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