Credit: Mustapha Razi / Le Desk
The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, indicated, Monday in Rabat, that the supply of sheep and goats intended for the Eid Al slaughter -Adha is estimated, according to a “precise assessment” carried out by the ministry in coordination with professionals, at 7.8 million heads, including 6.8 million sheep and one million goats.
The demand is estimated at around 6 million heads, including 5.4 million sheep and 600,000 goats, said Sadiki who was responding to three oral questions in the House of Representatives relating to preparations for Eid Al-Adha, noting that the number of sheep and goats prepared for slaughter has reached 4.8 million heads to date.
Regarding the sheep imported for Eid Al-Adha, the minister highlighted that they amount so far to 220,000 head, predicting that they will reach 250,000 head over the next two days, with a prospect of 600,000 heads.
In this regard, the official explained that the granting of a subsidy on the importation of sheep intended for slaughter in the amount of 500 dirhams per head, implemented from March 15 to June 15, is a measure exceptional and temporary aimed at preserving the national livestock and stabilizing prices.
Furthermore, based on statistics relating to the national herd from last month, the minister reported a drop of 2% in the sheep herd compared to the previous year to 20.3 million heads, and of 4% of the goat herd which numbered 5.4 million heads.
And to add that as part of the collection of field data and the establishment of traceability procedures, 214,000 breeding and fattening units of sheep and goats intended for the Aid Al sacrifice -Adha have been recorded.
Concerning measures relating to the health situation of livestock, the minister noted 2,015 control operations carried out by the National Food Safety Office (ONSSA) on food and veterinary medicines.
These operations resulted in the drafting of 3 reports for illegal sale of veterinary medicines in El Jadida, Khemisset and Marrakech, and a report concerning the seizure of 13 tonnes of animal feed not conforming to specifications in Béni Mellal.
As for the control of poultry waste, Sadiki explained that the ONSSA services issued 950 passes and drew up 4 reports following the seizure and destruction of 10 tonnes of poultry waste in Sidi Ifni and 24 tons at El Kelaâ des Sraghna.
On the logistical level, and in order to strengthen existing infrastructure, the minister recalled the establishment and development of 34 temporary markets in coordination with local authorities in the different regions of the Kingdom.
