As Eid Al Adha approaches, the UAE markets are experiencing a surge in demand for sacrificial animals. Ensuring public health and safety is paramount, requiring these animals to be free from diseases. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has initiated a plan where animals and sacrificial offerings will be inspected for their health by specialized personnel equipped with necessary supplies and diagnostic tools. Live animals entering the country through ports will also comply with necessary regulations. The ministry emphasizes that the country's ports serve as the primary defense against epidemic, infectious, and zoonotic diseases. Besides ensuring livestock safety, the ministry has implemented a system to handle the increased influx of live animals, including data analysis on import demand and extended operational hours at veterinary quarantine centers. The ministry has also boosted the number of veterinarians and laboratory technicians, ensuring sufficient laboratory testing materials. Delivery services have been accelerated while maintaining quality. An inspection was carried out at various sites including Al Hamriya Port Centre for Agricultural and Veterinary Quarantine, Dubai cattle market, Dubai Abattoir, and Sharjah Airport Centre for Agricultural and Veterinary Quarantine. The Eid Al Adha plan was announced during this inspection campaign by Marwan Abdullah Al Zaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Regions Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, who also visited Abu Dhabi, northern and eastern regions. Al Zaabi noted that the ministry is enhancing control and inspection procedures to ensure the safety of sacrificial animals and those prepared for consumption during this season. He emphasized that they inspect slaughterhouses and livestock raising facilities to ensure compliance with international standards and implement necessary procedures at all UAE borders for the entry of sacrificial and live animals through various ports. This is executed through a sophisticated coordination mechanism that operates year-round, with extra vigilance during Eid Al Adha. There has been an increase in livestock imports to meet the demand for sacrificial animals, with more shipments expected to arrive in the coming days. The ministry reported that from the start of this year until June, 592,577 heads of sheep, goats, cows, and camels have entered the UAE, marking a 66.7% increase from the previous year. This initiative supports MOCCAE's efforts to facilitate food trade, diversify import sources, and meet local market demand for livestock.
Text: Lara Palmer
11.06.2024
UAE Ministry Implements Rigorous Inspection and Control Measures for Livestock Ahead of Eid Al Adha