News Flash
DHAKA, Oct 22, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Adviser Farida Akhter said today that the Interim Government is prioritizing reducing meat prices by lowering production costs, rather than importing cheap meat from abroad to meet domestic demand, in order to protect local farmers from losses.
"Many countries are offering to export beef to Bangladesh at low prices. However, if the meat is imported, the country's farmers will suffer - so the government is moving very cautiously in this regard," she said.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the annual research review workshop of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) for the fiscal year 2024-25 in Savar this morning.
The Adviser said, "Why should we import meat? Rather, we will work to meet our own needs by reducing production costs in the country. We never want to harm the country by importing meat. Therefore, we will move forward on the path of reducing the prices of meat and eggs not by importing, but by reducing production costs."
She has criticized the move of decreasing research fund from Taka 5 crore to Taka 3 crore.
"It is a big loss for the country. If there is no allocation of funds for research, new innovations and development activities will be hampered," she said.
She opined that the results of research cannot be limited to the institute level alone.
In addition to the Department of Livestock, she said the government must work jointly with private institutions and NGOs so that the benefits of research can be reached at the field level.
Regarding the relationship between human and animal health, she said, "Diseases that occur in animals can be transmitted to humans, and human diseases can also spread to animals. Therefore, the concept of 'One Health' must be implemented with seriousness."
She said that more in-depth research is needed on animal waste management.
"We must pay special attention to the conservation and development of indigenous breeds," she said.
The Adviser said that the scope of research in the livestock sector should be increased to combat the effects of climate change.
"Developed countries are not controlling their own greenhouse gas emissions and are instead blaming the livestock of developing countries for this," she said.
She added that developed countries are damaging the environment by burning fuel in vehicles.
Instead of stopping this, they are blaming our livestock for the increase in greenhouse gases, she continued.
Secretary of Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber spoke on the occasion as the special guest.
BLRI Director General (Interim Charge) Dr. Shakila Farooq presided over the programme while Dr. Md. Abu Sufiun while Director General (In-Charge) of Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Dr Md Abu Sufiun also spoke at the workshop.
