Special Correspondent :
The government has decided to curb influx of cattle from neighbouring countries ahead of Eid-ul-Azha in a bid to protect interest of local cattle farmers.
The decision was taken in an inter-ministerial meeting held at the secretariat on Tuesday, with State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Md. Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru in the chair.
The meeting discussed demand and supply situation of sacrificial animals for Eid-ul-Azha, safety and security of cattle traders in big cities and ensuring disease-free supply of cattle in the market.
The discussants at the meeting said if Indian cattle enter Bangladesh after crossing the border illegally, the cattle farmers here would have to face huge losses.
“Supply of cattle is more than adequate to meet the Eid demand. So, we would not allow entry of cattle through both legal and illegal channels from neighbouring countries on the occasion of Eid to ensure the interests of local farmers,” an official of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) told The New Nation, on condition of anonymity.
He said that the authorities had already requested the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to seal the border so that no animal can enter Bangladesh from neighbouring countries ahead of Eid.
According to DLS, a total of 1.18 crore cattle are being ready for this year’s Eid-ul-Azha against the demand for 1.12 crore in 577,416 commercial farms across the country.
Of them, 85.82 lakh are bulls and buffaloes, 72 lakh goat and sheep and 6,553 other animals like camels and dumba.
DSL officials said, these animals are being ready under the fattening programme for Eid-ul-Azha in commercial farms.
Last year, a total of 1.15 crore animals were available for Eid-ul-Azha, and of them, 1.5 crore were slaughtered.
“There will be a surplus cattle supply. Apart from commercial farms, many household farmers also rear cattle, goats and sheep, keeping Eid-ul-Azha in mind,” said a Fisheries and Livestock Ministry official who attended the inter-ministerial meeting, where it was stated that this year 1.10 crore animals would be slaughtered.
It was also informed that the Veterinary Medical Team would be ready to provide health care for animals in the important cattle market in the country, including Dhaka.
Two veterinary teams would also work at 24 cattle markets in the capital.
The concerned agencies, including Livestock Department and City Corporations, will also work to promote healthy and hygienic cow fattening without using steroid and hormone injections.
The Ministry and other agencies will take action against the use of cattle-fattening steroids and feed, which are harmful to human health.
The government has decided to curb influx of cattle from neighbouring countries ahead of Eid-ul-Azha in a bid to protect interest of local cattle farmers.
The decision was taken in an inter-ministerial meeting held at the secretariat on Tuesday, with State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Md. Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru in the chair.
The meeting discussed demand and supply situation of sacrificial animals for Eid-ul-Azha, safety and security of cattle traders in big cities and ensuring disease-free supply of cattle in the market.
The discussants at the meeting said if Indian cattle enter Bangladesh after crossing the border illegally, the cattle farmers here would have to face huge losses.
“Supply of cattle is more than adequate to meet the Eid demand. So, we would not allow entry of cattle through both legal and illegal channels from neighbouring countries on the occasion of Eid to ensure the interests of local farmers,” an official of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) told The New Nation, on condition of anonymity.
He said that the authorities had already requested the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to seal the border so that no animal can enter Bangladesh from neighbouring countries ahead of Eid.
According to DLS, a total of 1.18 crore cattle are being ready for this year’s Eid-ul-Azha against the demand for 1.12 crore in 577,416 commercial farms across the country.
Of them, 85.82 lakh are bulls and buffaloes, 72 lakh goat and sheep and 6,553 other animals like camels and dumba.
DSL officials said, these animals are being ready under the fattening programme for Eid-ul-Azha in commercial farms.
Last year, a total of 1.15 crore animals were available for Eid-ul-Azha, and of them, 1.5 crore were slaughtered.
“There will be a surplus cattle supply. Apart from commercial farms, many household farmers also rear cattle, goats and sheep, keeping Eid-ul-Azha in mind,” said a Fisheries and Livestock Ministry official who attended the inter-ministerial meeting, where it was stated that this year 1.10 crore animals would be slaughtered.
It was also informed that the Veterinary Medical Team would be ready to provide health care for animals in the important cattle market in the country, including Dhaka.
Two veterinary teams would also work at 24 cattle markets in the capital.
The concerned agencies, including Livestock Department and City Corporations, will also work to promote healthy and hygienic cow fattening without using steroid and hormone injections.
The Ministry and other agencies will take action against the use of cattle-fattening steroids and feed, which are harmful to human health.
