Minister cautions on steroid use in fattening cattle

FE Report
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque warned on Thursday of taking legal action against those who would be found involved in using steroid hormone for fattening sacrificial animals.
He also said there would be veterinary medical teams at about 494 cattle markets across the country to test sacrificial animals' health.
The fisheries and livestock minister was speaking at a seminar on 'Fattening of Cattle and Safe Meat Production ahead of Eid-ul-Azha' at the city's Krishibid Institution. The seminar was organised by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).
The minister said about 4.0 million cows and 6.9 million goats were there at the farm level that might be sacrificed during the ensuing Eid-ul-Azha. So there would be no scarcity of cattle in the country this year.
Mr Hoque also urged the officials and employees of the DLS to remain alert so that dishonest traders and farmers cannot get opportunities to fatten their animals by using steroid hormone.
The minister, however, said a list of cattle farmers at the union level had been prepared. They would help to produce safe meat round the year and also during Eid-ul-Azha.
DG (director general) of DLS Ajoy Kumar Roy chaired the programme while secretary of the ministry Shelina Afroza were, among others, present.
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