January 22, 2018


Beef import from India will impact local industries, Bangladesh association claims

 


Leaders of Bangladesh's Dhaka Metropolitan Beef Traders' Association have urged the government to cease a move to import beef from India, claiming that the decision would make the local leather, dairy and beef industries redundant, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

 

In a recent press conference, the officials also demanded an end to extortion in cattle markets and the suspension of the chief estate officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

 

"The government is providing loan of Tk200 crore for dairy farming which is encouraging the farmers a lot. But the decision of beef import will affect the dairy farmers and dairy related industries," Rabiul Alam, acting secretary general of the association, said.

 

He furthermore alleged that extortion, apparently with the help of a DNCC official, has become a common occurrence in the Gabtoli cattle market where, for each cattle, an additional Tk5,000 to Tk10,000 (US$60.33 to US$120.66) is being charged although the government's fixed rate is only Tk100 (US$1.21).

 

By eliminating extortion, beef prices can be eased, Alam said, adding that "beef price will decrease by Tk100 to Tk150 (US$1.21 to US$1.81) per kg if extortion is prevented in the bordering areas."

 

In Dhaka city, each kilogramme of beef is now available at Tk480 to Tk500 (US$5.79 to US$6.03).

 

- Dhaka Tribune

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