Take steps to stop cattle smuggling

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter yesterday warned against attempts by unscrupulous traders to smuggle in cattle from neighbouring countries ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, saying such activities must be stopped.

She said the Ministry of Home Affairs has already instructed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the River Police to strengthen surveillance along land and river borders to prevent illegal cattle entry.

"Some dishonest traders may try to bring in foreign livestock centring Eid. This must not be allowed," she told a meeting of divisional fisheries and livestock officials at the Rajshahi Circuit House.

Farida noted that a high-level meeting has already been held at the ministry to address the issue of cross-border livestock movement.

During the same meeting, she also announced that mobile veterinary clinics will be set up at district-level cattle markets by the Department of Livestock Services, where veterinary surgeons will be available to provide medical care for livestock in the lead-up to Eid.

She said basic healthcare services would also be ensured for people involved in cattle trading, along with measures to facilitate their safe movement.

Farida also criticised the imposition of commercial electricity tariffs on the fisheries and livestock sectors. Unlike agriculture, these sectors do not benefit from equivalent subsidies, causing hardship for small-scale farmers. She said she had already sent a demi-official (DO) letter to the Ministry of Finance urging redress.

Additionally, she announced plans to introduce development projects specifically targeting women who rear livestock, aiming to promote inclusive economic growth.

Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Azaz and Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Director General Faruk Wasif were among those present at the meeting.