Honourable
Adil Ameer Meea in Parliament on Tuesday asked the Honourable Minister of
Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection, Ashit Gungah whether, in regard to live cattle, beef, goats and sheep, he will state
the number thereof (a) imported and sold for the 2018 Eid-Ul-Adha Festival and
(b) imported or to be imported for the forthcoming Eid-Ul-Adha Festival,
indicating (i) the country of origin and (ii) if the price has been fixed and,
if not, why not?
The reply from the minister is as follows:
Madam
Speaker,
With regard to part (a) of the question, I am
informed by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security that a total of 4080
cattle and 500 goats/sheep were imported from South Africa and sold for the 2018
Eid-Ul-Adha Festival.
As regards part (b) of the question, the
Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security has issued six (6) import permits
for 4,080 cattle to be imported from
South Africa for the 2019 Eid-Ul-Adha Festival by Socovia Ltee (3,800 heads),
La Ferme Bellagro Ltee (200 heads) and Tarzan Livestock Co-operative Sty Ltd
(80 heads).
Out of the 3,800 cattle for Socovia Ltee, 600
have already landed on 05 July 2019 and a second batch of 1,631 on 15 July 2019.
Another 600 is expected to land on 23 July 2019.
Socovia Ltee has confirmed that the company
will not import any further cattle for Eid-Ul-Adha 2019.
Furthermore, Socovia Ltee has informed my
Ministry that the company will put around 4200 heads for sale for Eid-Ul-Adha
2019, that is 2831 imported in July 2019 and 1369 from those already in its
farm.
Tarzan Livestock Cooperative Sty Ltd and La
Ferme Bellagro Ltee have confirmed that they would not import any cattle for
Eid-Ul-Adha 2019.
Five (5) import permits have been approved
for the import of a total of 1,640 goats/sheep in the context of the
Eid-Ul-Adha 2019. However, one import permit issued to La Ferme Bellagro Ltd
for a consignment of 600 goats/sheep from Botswana has already lapsed.
Soreefarm Co. Ltd, Socovia Ltee and La Ferme Bellagro Ltd have confirmed that
they would not import any goats/sheep from South Africa.
I am also informed that 1005 cattle and 2129
goats/sheep from Rodrigues may be available for Eid-Ul-Adha 2019.
The only importer (Socovia) submitted information pertaining to
the costings on Friday 12 July and
on Monday 15 July 2019. Thus, the
Ministerial Committee set up to fix the price of imported live cattle for
Eid-Ul-Adha 2019, will meet this week. Thereafter, the Committee will submit
its recommendations to Cabinet for a decision, following which the public will
be informed of the prices fixed for sale of cattle for Eid-Ul-Adha 2019.
UPDATE: The price has been fixed at Rs 132.50 kg. Eid Ul Adha will be celebrated on Monday 12 August 2019.
