People may have to fork out extra money to buy sacrificial animals for the upcoming

 Eid-ul-Azha as their prices are likely to increase if extortion during their transportation is not stopped, according to a recent report by an intelligence agency.

The senior secretary of the commerce ministry received the report on June 23, reports Deutsche Welle.

On top of extortion, the recent floods across the country as well as the rise in the prices of cattle feed could also play a part in animals becoming more expensive.

Failure to ensure animal feed supply through market supervision and keep their prices at a tolerable level may lead to a crisis, the report said.

If these issues were not addressed, Muslims in the country would have to pay more than usual to buy sacrificial animals, the agency said in the report.

Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said the report was being reviewed and the ministry would soon hold a meeting.

“There will be no sacrificial animal crisis this year. We are looking into how the other issues will be addressed,” said, adding that the home ministry would handle the extortion issue.

Noting the report’s points on rawhide, Tapan said the government had okayed the import of 150,000 tons of salt for rawhide preservation.

According to those familiar with the issue, the price of animal fodder has increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic, declining production of raw materials in various countries and supply disruption due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The main ingredients of animal feed are wheat, maize, rice husk, soybean meal, flour, etc. The import of maize and wheat has been mostly suspended from Russia and Ukraine since February, leading to the price of fodder increasing.

Department of Livestock Services chief Dr Monjur Mohammad Shahjada said there were more than 12.1 million animals ready for sacrifice this year, compared to 11.9 million in 2021.

Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association General Secretary Shah Imran said the association had attended a meeting at the Department of Livestock Services, with the fisheries and livestock minister present there.

Extortion during cattle transport must be put to an end, he said. 

Imran said he had suggested that cattle-laden trucks be allowed toll-free movement.

The price of animal feed had seen a 40% increase in a year, and it would naturally result in sacrificial animals becoming 10%-15% costlier, he said. They would become even more expensive if extortion was not prevented, he cautioned.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim at an event on Wednesday said there was no chance of the country facing a sacrificial animal crisis this Eid as there was more supply than demand.