Bangladesh has no plan to import beef: Adviser Farida
“Beef import requires careful consideration. It is not like soap or shampoo that can be brought in at will. The government wants to prioritise meat from cattle reared domestically as the main source,” he says
Bangladesh has no plan to import beef, as it could hurt domestic farmers and pose potential health risks, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said today (6 January).
"Beef import requires careful consideration. It is not like soap or shampoo that can be brought in at will. The government wants to prioritise meat from cattle reared domestically as the main source," she told reporters after a seminar and the inauguration of a replica of the '4F model' at the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar.
The event was organised under the project "Sustainable Climate-Resilient Livestock Development in Drought-Prone and Coastal Areas of Bangladesh through IoT-Based 4F Model Implementation."
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Farida said that although many countries are interested in exporting low-cost beef to Bangladesh, meat prices in their domestic markets are not low. Importing such meat could carry significant health risks.
"They actually want to export surplus meat. Otherwise, how could they sell meat to us at lower prices than in their domestic markets? There are major risks associated with consuming meat imported from abroad," she added.
The adviser also stressed the need for fundamental and policy-level reforms in the livestock sector. Several initiatives have already been undertaken, which are expected to yield benefits in the near future.
On methane emission control, Farida said measures would be taken at the domestic level.
"Even though agriculture and livestock sectors contribute to methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, controlling emissions in these areas will allow Bangladesh to demonstrate globally that, despite being a low-emission country, it is taking responsible steps. This can even set an example for developed nations," the adviser said.
Regarding the 4F project, she said it enables the production of fodder, food, fuel (biogas), and biofertilizer from grass, which can be implemented even by small farmers. "This will reduce methane emissions while improving farmers' livelihoods."
