Trade and industry body demands ban of livestock export from India.

RAJKOT: In a surprising move Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) a trade body whose duty is to represent the government to increase the trade and export has represented commerce and Industry ministry to ban the export of live stock from the Indian port. The export from Kutch’s Tuna port the designated port to export livestock is suspended since December last year.

The union commerce and Industry minister Suresh Prabhu was in Rajkot on Tuesday and RCCI has represented him this issue separate from all the other issues. RCCI in it’s representation said “Now it appears our livestock exporters are beyond law of land, it’s high time you need to take serious note that such unruly export is threat against national security and it’s also conniving Hawala and money laundering.

RCCI asked the central government to ban the export of livestock from all the ports “Considering the looming national security risk” The trade body also asked central government to cease the export by issuing a notification. The trade body also raised the question of role of veterinary doctors and customs and port authority and termed it ‘dubious’. The letter stated that “The export of livestock without any psychical health certificate or fraudulent certificate will disrepute the national.” The RCCI made this representation after the request of Jiv Daya (animal welfare) activists.

However RCCI’s counterpart Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce and Industry which represent the trade and industry body of Kutch from where the livestock was being export since last four decades tried to help livestock exporters when after permission the export was not allowed before Bakri Eid last year. Aashish Joshi secretory of Gandhidham Chamber of commerce and industry said “The livestock exporters came to us before few months seeking our help and we extended all possible help as we do it for all the exporters.

Kutch’s Tuna port was the designated port for the export of livestock since more then four decades and goat  and sheep from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh were exported from this port handled by pandit deendayal port (Kandla port).