Govt cautious about meat import to protect local farmers
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has said several countries have offered to export beef to Bangladesh at low prices, but the government is proceeding with caution to avoid harming local farmers.
"Why should we import meat? We will reduce production costs at home and meet our own demand. We do not want to damage the country by importing meat. Instead, we will lower production costs to reduce the prices of meat and eggs," she said.
She made the remarks as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 2024–25 Annual Research Review Workshop of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar on Wednesday morning.
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Farida Akhtar said cutting the research budget from Tk5 crore to Tk3 crore is a setback for the country, warning that inadequate funding would hinder innovation and development. She stressed that research outcomes must not remain confined within institutions. "Alongside the Department of Livestock Services, we must work jointly with private organisations and NGOs so that research benefits reach the field," she said.
Emphasising the One Health approach, the adviser noted that diseases can be transmitted between humans and animals, calling for stronger work on animal waste management and the conservation and improvement of indigenous breeds.
She also urged expanded research on climate impacts in the livestock sector and criticised attempts by developed countries to blame increases in greenhouse gas emissions on the herds of developing nations while continuing to consume high levels of fossil fuels themselves.
BLRI Director General Dr Shakila Faruq presided over the event, while Abu Taher Mohammad Jaber, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, attended as a special guest.
Jaber said the livestock sector offers vast potential that often goes unrecognised. "Two areas deserve special attention — animal health and waste management. Without proper farm-level waste management, animals get sick, and the risk passes to humans through food. We must also ensure safe animal feed, which is closely linked to product pricing," he said.
He called for more research on feed practices, livestock conservation, and breed improvement, noting that better presentation of research impact would help justify higher budget allocations.
Dr Md Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, also spoke at the workshop. Senior officials of the ministry and its agencies, university faculty members, livestock and poultry experts, farmers, entrepreneurs, and BLRI scientists attended the event.
