The Ministry of Shipping has decided to ban the export of livestock from all sea ports in the country for an indefinite period following representations from animal rights activists.
Rajkot: The Union Ministry of Shipping has decided to ban the export of livestock from all sea ports in the country for an indefinite period following representations from animal rights activists, Union Minister of State for Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya, told The Indian Express.
“We received information that sheep and goats were being exported from the Tuna port of DPT (Deendayal Port Trust in Kutch). We have banned livestock export from all ports. The livestock consignment in question was to be shipped to Dubai. Since the consignment was headed to Dubai, it meant they were being exported for slaughter. There were demands from the public to stop export of livestock for the purpose of slaughter,” Mandaviya said.
Shipments to the UAE take place mainly ahead of Eid Al-Adha and Bakr-Id, which is marked by the sacrifice of animals such as goats and sheep, apart from bovines and camels.
Bakr-Id is expected to fall this year on August 22.
“There were many complaints and representations from jivdaya premis (those advocating compassion towards all living beings) and animal rights activists. A few days ago, people had agitated against the export of livestock from Nagpur airport also. Therefore, we have decided to impose a blanket ban on export of livestock from all sea ports. The Gujarat government had also submitted a representation in this regard,” Mandaviya said, adding that the ban would be for an indefinite period.
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