Bangladesh importing sacrificial cattle from Myanmar

The number of cattle being brought into Bangladesh from Myanmar ahead of Eid-ul-Azha has more than doubled in the past two months compared to the same period in 2016. Bangladesh imports most of its cows, goats and lambs from India in the run up to the annual religious festival, when the demand - and prices - for sacrificial animals soars. However, the customs officer for Teknaf land port said the number of cattle being imported from Myanmar in July and August was “more than double” that of the same period in 2016, when 3,435 cattle were brought in for a revenue of Tk1,963,500. [caption id="attachment_174131" align="aligncenter" width="690"] The cattle are being brought from Myanmar on trawler via Naf River Dhaka Tribune [/caption] “There are possibilities for importing more sacrificial animals from Myanmar in future,” ASM Mosharraf Hossain said. One trader, Amir Mandal, bought 120 cows and oxen from the Shahporir Dwip corridor in Teknaf for sale in Rajshahi. “Myanmar cows are more popular than the Indian ones,” he told the Dhaka Tribune. “They look better and have more meat.” Trawlers filled with cattle are arriving at Shahporir Dwip via the Naf River. While traders say the prices of Myanmar cows are lower compared to 2016, one jetty lessee said the import costs were rising. “The district administration is charging Tk50 per cow while Teknaf customs is earning Tk500 revenue from each animal,” said Rejaul Karim Reju, who is also the local Union Parishad member. During the July-August period, local authorities say at least 8,500 cattle have been imported through the corridor that helped the government earn Tk4,255,600 in revenue. Local cattle importer Ham Jalal said he had bought at least 500 cows in the last two days. “I take them to Chittagong from here. It costs about Tk1,800 per animal on average,” he said. However, cattle trader Siraj Mia from Chittagong’s Patia said they were harassed by police when transporting the cows. Teknaf 2 Border Guard Bangladesh Commander Lt Col SM Ariful Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that they were on alert to avert any untoward incident.