FE REPORT
Though a restricted item in the existing import policy, some traders intend to import camel meat as there is a huge demand for such meat in Bangladesh.
Sources said a group of traders, Fatiha Enterprise, has requested the commerce ministry to take required steps in this connection.
They have sought permission to import 25,000 tonnes of buffalo/beef meat with an eye to selling the flesh at affordable prices in the local market.
Fatiha Enterprise said the demand for camel meat has been increasing at five-star hotels and restaurants. Such meat is not available in the local market.
It has sought the ministry's permission to import 10,000 tonnes of camel meat from Ethiopia.
The traders demanded that the government give the permit taking the country's lower-income groups amid shortages of buffalo/beef meat in the local market as around 60,000 cattle died in floods last year.
Bangladesh is currently self-sufficient in meat production. Yet, prices are higher in the domestic market, although meat production has increased seven times in the last 15 years.
An official of the Department of Livestock Services said, "We're scrutinising the issue as allowing meat import can directly harm domestic meat production and potentially lead to farm closures."
A potential biosecurity risk is involved with meat import, according to him.
Local traders can import such meat by taking prior approval from the government's agencies concerned, although it is on the prohibited list of the country's import policy order.
Currently, Bangladesh exports meat to different international destinations, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and the Maldives.
The government has kicked off a disease-free zoning project with intent to eliminate foot-and-mouth and peste des petits ruminants from local cattle.
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