The overall supply of animals for the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in Morocco is sufficient, the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development and Water and Forests assures citizens on Thursday.
“The overall national supply of animals for Eid is estimated at 7.8 million head, including 6.3 million sheep and 1.5 million goats. This supply exceeds demand, which is estimated at 5.6 million head, including 5.1 million head of sheep and 500,000 head of goats,” the ministry said in a statement.
Nationwide, 214,000 fattening units and farms preparing small ruminants for Eid have been registered, adds the same source.
In addition, since the start of the identification operation, over 6.86 million sheep and goats intended for the Eid sacrifice have been identified and marked with the Eid Al-Adha buckle.
This numbered tag ensures the traceability of animals from producer to
consumer.
It also serves as an important tool for monitoring animal health, and in the event of any claims up to the point of slaughter.
The ministry also points out that following the impact of the covid-19
pandemic and the succession of two years of drought, the sheep industry
has experienced an imbalance and a disruption in the regularity of reproduction of the flock.
This situation, also characterized by inflation in input prices, had an upward effect on production costs.
As a result, the government opened up imports on an exceptional and temporary basis, in order to protect the national herd and ensure stable consumer prices, with support in the form of the suspension of customs duties and import VAT, and the granting of import support for sheep intended for
slaughter of up to 500 dirhams (45 euros) per head.
A large number of sheep have been imported in accordance with the established procedure, which guarantees the health and quality of the animals.
HA/fss/as/APA