Hili Port livestock quarantine station remains unused

Hili Land Port livestock quarantine station remains unused for seven years after its construction since no animals were imported during this time.

Rabiul Islam Sweet, importer and C&F Agent Association’s port affairs secretary of Hili land port, said Hili port has a plant quarantine centre, fishery quarantine station and livestock quarantine station to prevent contamination.

“These quarantine centres are used mainly to determine the quality of the imported products. The products cannot be released without clearance from the quarantine centre,” he said, adding that various types of food products, fish and dry goods are imported through this port.

Rabiul further said while the other two quarantine stations are of use the livestock quarantine station is of no use since animals are not imported through this port.

Sohrab Hossain, public relations officer of Panama Hili Port Link Limited, said no individual has imported animals through this port since its establishment.

Hakimpur Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Kazi Mahabubur Rahman said there is no allocated position for the livestock quarantine station in-charge and he is currently carrying out the duties. He added that no animals were imported since he took charge.

“According to the rules, any animal should be quarantined for 14 days after import and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will bear the cost of food and other necessary treatment. However, we have not been allocated any funds for that,” he said.

The livestock quarantine station at Hili Land Port was inaugurated on February 11, 2016, by the then Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Narayan Chandra Chanda.