September 29, 2007	Saturday	Ramazan 16, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Sept 28: The excessive meat export for the last few years has not only created shortage of livestock but has also caused sharp increase in local prices of beef and mutton, turning the commodity beyond the reach of already hard-pressed poor consumers.

Official figures compiled by ministry of commerce, which were made available to Dawn, showed that the country exported 2,716 tons of meat worth $7.775m during July-August 2007-08 as against 227 tons ($3.777m) the same period last year.

This sharp increase in export has pushed up the average price of mutton and beef by Rs10 per kg across the country which may likely to go further higher if the government does not take any immediate measures to discourage the export of the commodity to avoid shortage.

The exporters have been earning massive profits on meat sales to neighbouring countries particularly to Afghanistan.

The shortage of meat in the domestic market was felt following the decrease of animal imports from India due the presence of military forces at the borders. On the other hand, smuggling of meat and livestock to Afghanistan and Iran was also rampant.

The statistics also showed that livestock — cows and buffaloes — in huge quantities were also exported to Dubai and Afghanistan during the same period under review. However, the actual number was not available with the ministry.

An official source said that the cumbersome procedures for bringing in livestock from India via Wagha border had discouraged the import of animals from the neighbouring country despite exemption of all kinds of taxes.

According to official statistics no animals were imported during the period under review which reflected that the government has not taken any serious step to facilitate livestock imports to bring stability in local prices for the benefit of consumers.

The Indian government also discourages the export of animals to Pakistan through land route by linking it with fulfilment of some harsh conditionalities. Although the Indian government has no objection to the import of frozen meat, but importers are reluctant to buy the idea as it will not only be costlier but consumers also don’t prefer it.

The average price of boneless fresh meat (buffalo) in India per kg was Rs70. While in the frozen form it stood at Rs90 per kg. During the last eight months, Pakistan imported fresh meat at an average of 220 tons per day from India to stabilise domestic prices.