A number of cows in a Brazilian farm. Photo: TFG
Cattle imports raise quality questions
Iraqi government lowers import taxes on live animals to curb red meat price hike
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government has announced a 50% reduction in import taxes and customs fees for live animals, aiming to bring down surging red meat prices in the country. The decision, made during the seventh meeting of the Economic Council, follows a proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture to address the issue.
The import tax reduction, effective for one year, is expected to increase the supply of red meat in the market. Tamer Habib, director of Iraq’s veterinary authority, confirmed that an expected shipment of 19,000 live cows from Brazil is expected to bolster supplies. He asserted the animals were healthy and would arrive with veterinary bills of health from Brazilian authorities.
Those cows, however, were at the center of a mysterious stench that covered Cape Town, South Africa earlier this month, prompting officials to launch and investigation. Aboard the ship, a team from South Africa’s National Council of SPCA’s (NSPCA) reported the smell was “indicative of the awful conditions the animals endure[d],” adding that a build-up of feces and ammonia made the stench “unimaginable.”
The NSPCA further stated its veterinary teams had found dead cattle on-board in addition to others that were diseased and injured. The group reportedly euthanised eight of the animals, and provided treatment for others.
VesselFinder.com, a website tracking ship movements around the world, showed the Al-Kuwait as a livestock carrier cargo vessel sailing under the flag of Kuwait, and headed to Basra’s Umm Qasr Port with an estimated arrival of March 5. Prior to docking in South Africa on Feb. 18, it had departed Rio Grande, Brazil where it picked up its load.
Habib stated the animals would undergo quarantine and testing upon arrival. “Ensuring the safety of these animals is our top priority,” he said. “The cows will undergo all necessary health protocols before entering the market.”
The government’s move to reduce tariffs comes as red meat prices have climbed sharply across the country, with one kilogram of meat in the Kurdistan Region fetching 25,000 Iraqi dinars. Price are expected to jump further during the upcoming month of Ramadan.