Due to successive years of drought and rising livestock feed prices, a worrying decline in livestock numbers has been recorded nationwide. In this regard, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari, indicated that the ministry is working to remedy this situation through two main axes consisting of ensuring regular supply of markets and to restructure the national herd.
The situation of the red meat market depends on the state of the national herd, said Tuesday in the House of Advisors, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari.
The minister also took the opportunity to recall that the Executive has put in place several measures, in particular the suspension of import duties and the value added tax (VAT) applicable to cattle and sheep, as well as the ban on the slaughter of female cattle intended for reproduction in order to preserve livestock.
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These measures, he maintained, made it possible to alleviate the pressure on the national herd, specifying that more than 120,000 head of cattle and around 800,000 head of sheep were imported, which helped to mitigate the decline in numbers. and to guarantee the supply of the national market.
Regarding the restructuring of the national herd, Mr. El Bouari assured that the ministry continues its support for livestock feed, such as barley and compound feed, in order to reduce production costs.
He also reported on vaccination and health prevention campaigns aimed at protecting livestock against diseases, noting that in 2024, around 19 million heads of sheep and goats and 1.4 million heads of cattle were vaccinated, in addition to booster campaigns.
In addition to these measures, the government has decided to suspend import duties and VAT applicable to fresh and refrigerated meats to guarantee normal market supply, recalled the minister.
To this end, he made it clear that “imported red meats are prepared in approved slaughterhouses subject to rigorous veterinary health inspections and the services of the National Food Safety Office (ONSSA) ensure the application strict specifications.
El Bouari also highlighted the efforts made to restructure the national herd and improve the current situation of local breeds such as Sardi, Beni Guil, D’man, Timahdite, etc., as well as to improve the state cattle herd, essential for both meat and milk production.
With MAP
