Emergency steps demanded to stop extortion

Cattle farmers have demanded emergency services be introduced to stop the smuggling of sacrificial animals and extortion during the transportation of such animals from different parts of the country.

They raised the demands when Nahid Rashid, secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, visited various farms in Mohammadpur of the capital on Saturday. Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md Emdadul Haque Talukder and other officials were present at the time.

Md Imran Hossain, president of the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association and owner of Sadeeq Agro, highlighted the problems on behalf of farmers. He said farmers are extorted on their way to cattle markets from different parts of the country and this mostly happens at night when administration officials are not available on the phone.

He said this problem has been going on for years.

“In addition, if someone buys an animal from the market, he is asked to pay hasil [a payment for the market authorities]. But doing so from a farm does not require him to make the payment. We demand the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issue a notification in this regard,” said Imran.

His other demands included stopping the import of cows through illegal routes, banning the import of meat, providing adequate security in cattle markets, and giving adequate facilities to farmers.

The fisheries and livestock secretary assured him of bringing such matters under the national emergency service hotline number 999 so that no one is subjected to harassment or extortion.

Apart from this, if another hotline number is needed to be introduced, it will be decided at the inter-ministerial meeting on June 14, she said.

Nahid also said more sacrificial animals are ready this year compared to 2022.

“According to the information received from farmers, there are about 1.25 crore animals, which is much more than the demand. We have increased vigilance in border areas. But since we do not deal with smuggling via borders, we have increased communication with those who do.”

The director general of the Department of Livestock Services said, “We have already been able to reduce fodder prices to some extent. This effort will continue.”

He said grass production has increased in different parts of the country, which is why it was possible to cut feed prices. “We hope to decrease prices further in two to three months.”