Sacrificial animals won’t be imported this year: minister

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim yesterday said the government won't allow import of sacrificial animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

"Under no circumstance, the government will allow bringing cattle from abroad this year," he said while addressing an online meeting on ensuring the supply and sale of healthy cattle at cattle markets.The minister noted that the government will take all necessary measures to ensure the animals are sacrificed properly. "With a view to protecting the environment, all necessary arrangements will be made for marketing and selling of sacrificial animals in a healthy way during Eid-ul-Azha," the minister said.

He cautioned all to abide by health guidelines at cattle markets and urged to discharge duties with responsibility.

Recalling experience, Rezaul said, "We want no incident of extortion to happen this year. If animals are sold from farms, the lessee won't be allowed to collect tolls."

He also assured that there is an adequate supply of sacrificial animals.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, there is stock of 1.18 crore sacrificial animals this year, he said.

The minister mentioned that 1,200 medical teams will work at the cattle markets to prevent sale of sick cattle and monitoring teams will be formed in coordination with the officials of the ministry.

He said the authorities are trying to focus on arranging online markets due to the coronavirus situation.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Raunak Mahmud, Additional Secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Abdul Jabbar  Sikder, among others, participated in the event.