The Akhannouch government’s described as “disastrous” management of the sale of Eid Al Adha sheep has aroused anger. The Executive, which held its first council since the party, is still in shock for not having anticipated strict control to combat intense speculation and the proliferation of intermediaries which have generated an unprecedented surge in prices.
Sources close to government circles indicate that the first accusations are being made against the Ministry of Agriculture, reports Al Ahdath Al Maghribia from Friday June 21.
This department would have provided imprecise data on the number of local livestock and the need for imported sheep. Let us point out that the sheep import subsidies granted to “large breeders” have not produced the expected results.
For these same sources, who requested anonymity, the responsibility of the agricultural sector is obvious because those responsible have not taken all measures to control livestock markets. However, the responsible minister, Mohammed Sadiki, reassured the Moroccans: supply exceeded demand and prices would be within everyone’s reach.
These comments raise a lot of questions in Parliament, in public opinion and within the government which is experiencing this shock head-on. Sadiki had, in fact, repeatedly affirmed that the government had taken all measures to guarantee the stability of supply to the national market.
He thus mentioned the subsidy of livestock feed and the establishment of a flat-rate premium on imports of 500 dirhams per head of sheep for the period from March 15 to June 15.
Today, criticism from citizens, consumer advocates and members of Parliament is aimed at importers. Especially since the government has not provided a convincing explanation for the gap between the purchase price of these livestock and the sale price on local markets during the Eid Al Adha period.
