Foot and Mouth Disease causes rise in red meat prices
الشروق أونلاين
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1912
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Photo: archives
National Union of Algerian Farmers warned of the dangerous spread of foot and mouth disease, which has infected cattle and livestock, which would have an impact on livestock prices that will notice a remarkable rise ahead of Eid al-Adha, that will come in the coming two months, and this if the virus spread is not controlled.
In this context, Taher Djaref, a member of the National Union of Algerian Farmers, asserted in phone interview with Echorouk that foot and mouth disease, which has spread recently in many eastern and central cities of Algeria, would affect the prices of sacrified animals with the approach of Eid al-Adha, and this is due to the large loss in sheep and cows which peasants face days ago, because of the spread of the disease, and the death of a huge number of cattle and livestock.
“Red meat prices will notice a remarkable rise because of foot and mouth disease. Government will be forced to import additional quantities of meat from abroad to compensate the large shortage that is caused by the foot and mouth disease, and to ensure adequate sheep for citizens in Eid al-Adha.”
“Farmers Union rushed to launch an extensive awareness campaign and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture, for the benefit of cattle ranchers following the announcement of the discovery of the disease in the eastern and central cities of Algeria, and this is to raise awareness about the dangers of foot and mouth disease, and learn them how to deal with the disease by isolating the infected cattle from the rest of healthy cattle, as not to contribute to the spread of the disease”.
“It is better not to allow friction between the cattle in the markets and take all the necessary precautions, especially the vaccine. Ministry of Agriculture has stepped up its efforts to curb the spread of the disease to the rest of the states. Algeria veterinary services announced an emergency since the early hours of the disease discovery in the area of Bir Laarche in Setif (eastern Algeria), where cows’ dead bodies were discovered, and after the preview authorities cordoned off the area and closed livestock markets”.
“Livestock owners should report on the cases if they will see the symptoms of the disease on their cows or sheep, and call the veterinary services and then separate the infected cattle from the rest of the cattle, so as not to infect more numbers. Government will compensate all the peasants who faced a loss by 100% for every cow that is infected with foot and mouth disease, as the Agriculture Ministry will grant a 80% of the real price in the market, and 20% for each cow that is slaughtered and sold as red meat”.
