Eid Al Adha: Preparations launched
Preparations to secure the supply of livestock for Eid Al-Adha have begun. Addressing members of parliament in the House of Councillors, Mohamed Sadiki confirmed the Government’s decision to open up the import of over 600,000 head of sheep for the second year running, in anticipation of the festival. This invitation to tender concerns sheep intended for the Aid Al-Adha sacrifice. As the situation is exceptional, it is possible to increase these quantities further if necessary, he told parliamentarians. In any case, the Minister is closely monitoring the situation with professionals. The government has introduced a premium of 500 Dirhams (USD 50) per head in addition to exemption from customs duties and value-added tax on imports. The scheme is similar to that of 2023. Except that last year, promises to bring down market prices for sheep were not kept. Despite import subsidies, prices did not fall. The program for this year’s preparations includes several measures that the Ministry of Agriculture has begun to implement. These involve field data and the implementation of a range monitoring system, some of which relate to the precise assessment of sheep supply and demand, in coordination with professionals in the chain.
According to the Minister, as of April 15, over 210,000 feeding units had been registered, and almost 2 million head of sheep and goats identified. The national livestock population is also in good health. The Ministry is continuing to raise awareness among breeders of good health practices for feeding and fattening Eid sheep. In addition, it carries out field inspections, taking samples of meat and feed and sending them to laboratories for analysis.
With the approach of Eid Al-Adha, overall control operations are being stepped up, through the mobilization of all relevant services such as the food safety agency (ONSSA) local authorities and the Royal Gendarmerie, according to a joint circular with the Minister of the Interior, which will continue until the day of Eid. Over the course of Eid and the following days, ONSSA will be mobilizing veterinarians and technicians on a permanent basis throughout the country to communicate with citizens and assist them in case of need.
M.C.
