Record slaughter predicted in Bangladesh
17/11/2010
There had been fears that an outbreak of anthrax among livestock earlier this year would disrupt the festival. But a livestock department spokesperson told local media in the build-up to the festival: “I’ve visited dozens of cattle markets. The supply of animals is huge and sale is also going on briskly.” He added that the number of sacrifices this year would set a record.
Saiful Islam, head of the Leathergoods and Footwear Exporters Association of Bangladesh, estimated that the figure was likely to reach 15 million animals. “The supply this year is very good. We have estimated five million cows and nearly 10 million goats will be sacrificed.”
Mr Islam said Bangladeshi Muslims would also slaughter more than half a million buffalo and sheep and thousands of camels imported from the Indian state of Rajasthan.
The authorities have deployed veterinary doctors in cattle markets across the country to ensure animals are free of anthrax at the time of slaughter.
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