Over 2m excess sacrificial animals ready for Eid: Minister

The country has a stock of 21,41,594 surplus sacrificial animals than the demand this year, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim.

The potential demand for sacrificial animals this year is 1,03,94,739 but there are 1,25,36,333 sacrificial cattle across the country, he said at a press conference after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday.

"Like the past four-five years, it will be possible to meet the demand for sacrificial animals with domestically produced cattle. There is no need to import animals from abroad," said Rezaul.

Last year the number of sacrificial animals stood at 1,21,24,389, of which, 9,921,941, were sacrificed, he said citing various surveys.

He estimated that the number of sacrificed animals may cross 1 crore this year, meaning the demand will increase by some 4.72 lakh.

According to Rezaul, this time, 4,843,752 cows and buffaloes, 7,690,000 goats and sheep and 2,581 other species of cattle are among the animals that can be sacrificed.

He said the total number of cattle to be sacrificed this year is 1,25,36,333, which is 4,11,944 more than 2022.

This year, Rajshahi division has the highest number of sacrificial animals in the whole country- 45,11,614. Among other divisions, the number of such animals stands at 8,95,454 in Dhaka, 20,53,128 in Chittagong, 15,11,708 in Khulna, 4,93,206 in Barisal, 4,10,225 in Sylhet, 19,62,951 in Rangpur and 6,98,047 in Mymensingh division.

The cabinet committee on law and order decided on Tuesday that animal stalls cannot be set up on the streets.

Speaking on the matter, Rezaul said anyone can sell animals from wherever they want.

"Cows can be sold while being transported. Animals can be sold anywhere. If someone obstructs, call 999 or inform the local administration, action will be taken. The sale has to be documented."

The fisheries and livestock minister said if someone wants to sell on the street, they can sell, if they want to sell in the haat, they can sell. If any sale is disturbed, the law will take its own course. Besides, the minister added that no one will be charged for selling cattle at home or market. Arrangements have been made to transport animals by rail. The Ministry of Railways will start this system a week before Eid, he added.

The minister said mobile courts will be conducted to prevent the use of banned antibiotics and hormones to fatten animals, so that no sick animals are sold. Medical teams will also be deployed.