Resentment over ban on cattle import from Myanmar
A sudden ban on cattle import from Myanmar has drawn criticism from traders in Cox’s Bazar, with many saying it would trigger a price hike.
They called for removal of the ban.
Importers were bringing cattle through the Shah Pari island corridor in huge numbers to meet the demand for sacrificial animals during Eid-ul-Azha. But on instruction from the fisheries and livestock ministry, the district administration enforced the ban on Tuesday.
The next day, at the regular law and order committee, the deputy commissioner (DC) faced criticism from many of the members including President of Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abu Murshed Chowdhury.
Terming the sudden decision ill-advised, they said it would cause a cattle crisis in the market, and tarnish the government’s image.
President of Teknaf cattle importers association Abu Syed said the ban will affect most buyers and leave an adverse impact on the market because the cattle from Myanmar cater to people in all parts of the country including Dhaka.
Trader Shahidul Islam said import increases manifold ahead of Eid, and it was no exception this time too. “But the sudden ban upset everything,” he said.
Another trader, Md Ismail, said many traders may face losses because they already paid the sellers in Myanmar in advance. “If import stops, they may not get the money back.”
The district livestock officer, Wahidul Alam, however, defended the decision. He said it was done to protect the local farmers. Besides, the district has got a stock of 1.08 lakh cattle against a demand for 1.05 lakh, the official said.
DC Kamal Hossain said, “Since we have enough of cattle, if we import more than the demand, it will financially hurt the local entrepreneurs and dairy farmers.”
Abdullah Monir, another cattle importer, however, claimed that the government estimated the demand without considering the Rohingya refugee population.
The demand for them would be no less than 50,000, he said, adding that some organisations are already buying cattle for them.
There are about 11.2 lakh displaced Rohingyas living at different camps in Cox’s Bazar.
According to Teknaf customs officer Mayez Uddin, 3,935 cattle were imported in the first three days of August, 10,095 in July, and 10,177 in June.
Meanwhile, despite the ban being in force, a batch of 300 cattle arrived in Teknaf yesterday, said local traders.
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