The government has announced that Bangladesh has a sufficient supply of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha this year, with officials confirming that around 1.23 crore livestock are ready against an estimated demand of 1.01 crore, creating a surplus of approximately 22 lakh animals.
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku made the disclosure on Saturday after inspecting the Gabtoli cattle market in Dhaka, where he assessed overall market preparedness and animal health management measures.
He said the strong domestic supply meant there was no need to rely on imported cattle this year. “Under the current situation, there is no necessity to import livestock from abroad,” he said, pointing to the surplus as an indicator of a stable domestic supply chain.
The state minister also urged buyers to prioritise animals from legal and verified sources, stressing that Qurbani should be conducted in line with Islamic principles and through lawful means. He said religious scholars and Muftis could provide clearer guidance on the permissibility of sacrificial practices involving illegally imported or smuggled livestock.
Emphasising the religious significance of Eid-ul-Azha, Tuku said the act of sacrifice is performed solely to seek the pleasure of Almighty Allah and must therefore be carried out properly, following halal procedures.
He added that livestock health facilities had been set up across cattle markets to ensure animal safety. Veterinary teams were providing round-the-clock services, including treatment for sick animals, fever screening, and the supply of essential medicines.
Officials from the Department of Livestock Services were deployed at markets nationwide to monitor animal health risks and respond quickly to emergencies, he said.
To ensure orderly market operations, the government has also strengthened border surveillance to prevent illegal livestock entry and protect local farmers. Law enforcement agencies have been working in coordination to enforce these measures.
Tuku further said special arrangements had been made to prevent market irregularities, including the detection of counterfeit currency and the deployment of security personnel at key cattle markets.
Senior officials from the Department of Livestock Services, including Director General Md Shahzaman Khan and Director Dr Md Boyzar Rahman, were present during the inspection.
