MP warns against import of Iranian livestock

A Bahraini lawmaker criticised the authorities for continuing to import livestock from Iran despite regional warnings on its dangers, which came after epidemics were recently detected in them. 

MP Mohammed Al Maarifi demanded Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, the ministry responsible for agriculture and animal wealth, to discontinue importing livestock from Iran.

“Kuwait had recently banned import of Iranian cattle as they were diagnosed with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). However, Bahrain continues to receive shipment of the same animals and distribute them among meat traders and butcheries,” Al Maarifi claimed.

The MP accused the ministry of importing livestock diagnosed with FMD and then spending huge amounts to combat it, costing the State budget much expenditure.

“The ministry is wasting money by importing diseased cattle, and then spending a lot on medications, and in increasing the numbers of vets and technicians,” said Al Maarifi while criticising the ministry.

The lawmaker added, “We had requested the authorities not to import livestock through the Omani Port of Khasab, which lacks the necessary veterinary and health requirements, but the ministry chooses to ignore our demands.”

Al Maarifi’s statements came a few days after the Kuwaiti authorities stopped importing sheep from Iran for health-related reasons. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that the decision wasn’t taken for political reasons, but, after several shipments carrying FMD were detected.

According to a recent statement by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf, Bahrain imports cattle from a list that consists of 13 countries in addition to GCC states.

The countries include Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Jordan, Uruguay, Eriteria, Inner Mongolia, Austrailia, Canada, France, Holland and Germany.