UNB, Dhaka :A three-member medical team, led by a veterinary surgeon, will remain deployed in each of all the cattlemarkets in the capital to examine health of the sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.The veterinary medical teams will diagnose diseases of the sacrificial animals upon requests of the buyers, if made any. They will also provide treatment to the animals if they fall ill.Similar services will be provided in other major cattle markets across the country.This was disclosed at a meeting on ensuring animal health ahead of Eid and addressing the growing concern over artificially fattened cattle held in the LGED auditorium at Agargaon on Sunday.Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque was present as the chief guest while livestock officers from different parts of the country attended the meeting.Chief Veterinary Officer Dr ABM Shahidullah told the meeting that scientific method to fatten cattle is well known and well practiced in the country. Under this method, cattle farmers select a healthy cow and after de-worming, they fed them a mixture of urea, molasses and straw (UMS) in a certain proportion daily for about 4 to 5 months.However, a section of unscrupulous cattle farmers are allegedly using hormone and steroids to make quick bucks ahead of Eid, which is totally illegal as per the Animal Feed Act, 2010, he said.Dr Shahidullah also said around 2,000 field officers monitor the fattening process throughout the year which was strengthened this year following the concern.Sayedul Hoque urged all not to be panicked, claiming that the number of artificially fattened cattle is very insignificant and livestock officers are monitoring the issue minutely.Noting that the Animal Feed Act, 2010 empowers a livestock officer to take necessary action against the law breakers, he ordered them to exercise the power strictly and seek help of the law enforcement agencies if needed.
