The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) held a protest at the Jantar Mantar, asking the Customs authorities Goa to not allow export of live animals from the Mormugao Sea Port Trust at Goa.
FIAPO members held banners and placards, to draw attention to the plight of animals when they are exported alive to other countries, which slaughter them for meat. To depict the actual condition of these animals during the export, cages with replica of animals were also displayed. Protesters drew attention of the Customs department to the fact that the animals were treated cruelly and inhumanely while being shipped across the border.
“Animals are not given food, water or even basic care during export. Goa does not even have the mandatory government approved quarantine facility required for export of animals. A large number of animals are injured, emaciated and even killed during transportation” said a FIAPO spokesperson.
Varda Mehrotra, Executive Director, FIAPO said, “These unpleasant conditions and exporting animals live are in direct violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, and more than 10 national and international rules. Despite having strong animal protection laws, live export from India is only governed by weak implementation. It is a mockery of the lives of these animals as well as the statute. We demand the Goa Customs to order the stoppage of live export from the city immediately.”
FIAPO, with its supporters, has been campaigning at the national level and engaging with the ministry of commerce for a nationwide ban on export of live animals. The Gujarat government has already put a stop to the practice.