Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md Abdur Rahman has said the Eid sacrifice will be done with animals produced in the country. He put the demand for sacrificial animals at 1 crore 70 lakh and said 1 crore 30 lakh were ready, which he described as far more than the demand.

The minister was answering journalists' questions on Sunday, 9 June, after speaking as chief guest at the opening of the 'Annual Research Planning Workshop 2024' organised by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar.

"This time the sacrifice will be done with local animals. We have more ready than the target. If anyone brings animals into the country through smuggling, it will be considered illegal," he said.

In reply to questions, he said there were allegations that some cattle were entering the country under cover of darkness, but the border force was continuing its efforts. The state had in no way given anyone permission or legitimacy to import animals for sacrifice, and those bringing them in through smuggling were using illegal means. He again said the demand was 1 crore 70 lakh animals and 1 crore 30 lakh were ready, which was far more than the demand.

Earlier that morning, answering a journalist's question at the Daulatdia ferry ghat in Goalanda, Rajbari, the minister said strict action would be taken against anyone extorting money from livestock trucks on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route or anywhere else in the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

A special local team led by the livestock department will provide emergency services and monitor livestock vehicles at the ghat. The district administration and local administration will also supervise the markets for the convenience of buyers and sellers.

The workshop was chaired by BLRI director general Dr SM Jahangir Hossain. Fisheries and Livestock Ministry secretary Sayeed Mahmud Belal Haider was present as special guest.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.