A recent study has concluded that the use of different types of steroids for fattening beef should be banned immediately as it can cause kidney or liver diseases in humans and also cause infertility in women and obesity in children.
The study, presented by Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University’s animal production and management department chairman Associate Professor Dr Jahangir Alam, was revealed at a press conference yesterday at the seminar hall of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine faculty of the university.
“The demand for beef is very high in our country. During Eid-ul-Azha, about eight million cattle are slaughtered every year. Therefore, beef fattening would be a profitable industry in the country if it is regulated in a proper and healthy way.”
He also said cattle farming in the country contributed 3% of the GDP while 18% in agriculture, 15% in employment and 4.3% in earning foreign remittance.
“Steroids are popularly known as life saving drug. Some of the steroid drugs used are dexamithason, cortisol, Bitamithason, Hydrocortison, Predonisilon, among others. But, the problem is that some people have no knowledge of how to use such drug and they apply 5-10 times more that the acceptable level for beef fattening.”
“As a result, various diseases are seen in cattle which have been excessively administered with steroids, which also cause sudden deaths among some cattle. Besides, such medicine also destroys the quality of cattle’s meat,” he added.
Meanwhile, other speakers at the program also stressed the need to take necessary steps for raising awareness among the people and animal farmers in this regard, otherwise both the rising beef industry in Bangladesh and public health will be put in danger.
Dr KBM Saiful Islam, assistant professor and chairman at university’s medicine and public health department, pointed out: “Some unscrupulous people have been using excessive steroid-type medicines to fatten cattle. The use of such medicines had not been banned in the country but there are certain ways to fatten cattle which will be healthy for consumers.”
Saying that the use of such medicines will affect public health to a large extent, he further added: “The excessive use of steroids in cattle has its impact for more than 90 days. It is so harmful that it cannot be destroyed even after by cooking the meat. When the steroid goes inside the human body, it causes kidney or liver diseases, infertility in women and obesity in children.”
Central Veterinary Hospital’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr ABM Shahid Ullah said: “Animal farmers should follow a scientific and modern method of beef fattening without using injections, tablets or steroids. If scientific and established method is followed, then it is possible to fatten beef within three months without harming the cattle or public health.”
Presided by Professor Dr Anwarul Hoque Beg, dean of animal science and veterinary medicine, the programme was also attended by Associate Professor Dr Abdullahil Baque of agronomy department and Associate Professor Dr Mofazzal Hossain from animal nutrition department.