|
Amritsar: The setting up of a quarantine facility near Indo-Pak border at Wagah would help boost export of livestock from Punjab to neighbouring Pakistan, traders here say.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to this holy city last month had announced setting up of a quarantine centre to give an impetus to livestock trade in the state.
There is a huge demand of livestock in Pakistan an animal quarintine centre near Wagah border would help increase our exports to the neighbouring country, said Rajdeep Uppal of Narain Eximp Corporation, a city based exporter of food items.
According to traders, they would be able to export as many as 700 animals per week to Pakistan once the centre becomes operational.
At present, traders from Punjab have to bring animals to Delhi for quarantine before exporting them. The entire process takes at least 15 days besides involves huge expenditure, said cricketer-turned politician Navjot Sidhu, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar.
Pakistan had last year allowed import of five items including onions, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic and meat and livestock (including buffaloes, cows, goats, sheep and camels) from Wagah border.
Last year, an Arabian horse gifted to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh by his Pakistan Punjab counterpart Pervaiz Elahi was not allowed inside Indian territory as there was no quarantine facility available at Wagah border.
|
