Sacrificial animal trade begins

Veterinary staff to be deployed at cattle markets amid Congo virus fears

RAWALPINDI:

Record-high prices of sacrificial animals at all eight official cattle markets across the district have left buyers stunned ahead of Eidul Azha, while authorities have issued a red alert over the risk of Congo virus.

In view of concerns raised by animal experts regarding the possible spread of Congo virus among livestock, approval has been granted to deploy veterinary doctors and staff at all cattle markets. Doctors and staff are expected to be stationed at the markets during the current week to examine all animals entering the facilities.

Citizens have also been advised to carefully inspect sacrificial animals for ticks before purchasing them.

As the arrival of sacrificial animals in large trailers and trucks began at the central Bhata cattle market, traffic in the surrounding areas started becoming severely disrupted.

Businesses of roadside shopkeepers have also started suffering due to congestion.

Local residents demanded that the entry of animal transport vehicles during daytime hours, from 7am to 9pm, should be banned, and that loaded trailers should only be allowed to pass through local roads between 9pm and 6am to prevent traffic paralysis and business losses.

Parking arrangements for loader vehicles have also started at all eight cattle markets. Meanwhile, record transportation charges for loading and unloading animals have further troubled buyers. This year, even short-distance transportation charges range between Rs2,500 and Rs3,000.

A proposal has been submitted to the district administration to launch a free transportation service from the central Bhata market to the city.

According to market rates this year, an ordinary goat costs between Rs90,000 and Rs120,000, while a medium-sized goat or sheep is priced around Rs150,000. Attractive goats and sheep are being sold between Rs180,000 and Rs200,000, while premium breeds are priced from Rs300,000 to Rs500,000.

Ordinary bulls are available for around Rs240,000, medium-sized bulls between Rs280,000 and Rs300,000, and high-quality bulls between Rs300,000 and Rs400,000. Premium bulls are being sold from Rs800,000 to Rs1.4 million.