When the country’s livestock sector is busy in finding new avenues in foreign markets to boost exports, there are reports regarding the shortage of beef and mutton in the country. It is reported that the residents of big cities are experiencing shortage of beef and mutton due to “record” smuggling of meat to Afghanistan and some Middle East countries.

In Karachi mutton is being sold at Rs140-150 per kg as compared to Rs130 a few months ago. Previously 8,000 to 8,500 goats, 7,000 calves were slaughtered daily in the city but the local market is experiencing shortage of animals since the last nine months as the smuggled animals from India, which meet around 40 per cent of the demand, have stopped. Meanwhile, supply from Thar which provides 25 per cent goats , has declined. Meat prices had risen by Rs10-20 per kg in January, when tension at the borders with India was escalated.

Meat traders of Balochistan are present in the market in a big way because of the high demand from Afghan refugees. Though sellers claim that the livestock population in Pakistan was not sufficient to meet the needs, but the lack of interest to boost the production has given rise to this situation.

Even in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, meat availability is reduced by 50 per cent. Before the start of this crisis, some 6,000 goats or sheep, 3,000 cows, and 1,500 calves were slaughtered daily which has scaled down to 4,000, 1,500 and 800, respectively.

Apart from smuggling, meat is also being exported to some Middle Eastern countries, and it is feared that if smuggling and export of mutton and beef was not stopped, meat shortage will reach alarming proportions in the local market in three months’ time. Perhaps, those who are involved in smuggling pay more money to buy animals, leaving local butchers in the cold. There are also reports of beef being smuggled to Afghanistan for the US troops, via Peshawar and other border areas.

Keeping in view this situation, some circles are suggesting imposition of a ban on the export of meat, till the time sufficient farms of livestock animals were established in the country. Iran has already imposed ban on the export of meat to cater to the requirement of its own people.

It is still to be investigated whether the shortage is real or artificial. It should be noted that this crisis erupted to foil government’s effort to enhance the livestock products’ export. Before this announcement by the government there was no shortage in any city. This indicates that some circles are active to foil the government’s bid to boost export and develop livestock sector. This confirms the government’s analysis that there is a great export potential for livestock products in Afghanistan, some Middle East countries, and a few Eastern European countries, with some opportunity in the Far Eastern countries, also. Officials are working on the eradication of diseases to make the livestock products export worthy to the EU countries. However, some leading exporters are against this move, arguing that the authorities should first fully utilize the opportunity available in the Middle East.

Livestock, which accounts for around 10 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), unfortunately has not been given the deserved attention. Pakistan being an agricultural country has great potential for the growth of livestock. There is a marked increase in the population of livestock. For example there were 110.6 million heads of cattle, buffalo, goat and sheep in 1997-98 in the country, which rose to 122.1 million in 2000-01. Food shortage, negligence of health issues and pricing problems have stultified the export growth of livestock. The role of livestock in rural economy may be realized from the fact that 30-35 million people are engaged in livestock raising, having 2-3 cattle/buffalo and 5-6 sheep/goat per family, thus deriving 30-40 per cent of income from it. Domestic farm animals also are important source of food supply in Pakistan. Majority of rural population derives the supply of animal protein from milk.

On the other hand, shortage in urban areas will further rise due to the increasing living standards, migration from rural to urban areas and the increase in population. Pakistan thus may face problem in the supply of milk in future.

Livestock exports actually started since some four years ago but it was hampered due to the growing fear of animal diseases commonly known as “rinderpest”. Pakistan’s exports fell by 86 per cent after Saudi Arabia decided to ban Pakistani product. Though a technical delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had visited some facilities and given its approval; however exports have yet to take off. A delegation has left for Riyadh and it is expected that a protocol may boost the exports. Besides, livestock exports to neighbouring Afghanistan are also on the rise. It could be a big market for Pakistani exporters. In the last fiscal year Pakistan exported around 17,000 cattle heads to the neighbouring country.

Livestock in Afghanistan is severely hit by the unsettled conditions that are prevalent there and Pakistan was able to export large number of livestock into Afghanistan to rehabilitate this sector.

In the past export of beef and mutton was made at the government slaughter-houses, but now the private sector has been allowed to export the livestock products.

The European Commission will provide Rs1.2 billion for the livestock projects, which envisages applied research, animal health coverage, quality vaccine production, strengthening of diagnostic facilities, epidemic logistic units and the public awareness campaign. The duration of the project is supposed to be six years from the date of arrival of the technical assistance.

Pakistan needs to evolve a strategy for the livestock genetic resources, their conservation and the exchange of germ plasm for the genetic improvement of the local breeds.