Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BFDA) on Saturday urged the government not to allow meat imports, which it said would hit the local industry hard.
The demand came up at a convention organized by BFDA in the capital. About 1,000 dairy farmers across the country participate in the program.
“The government has a proposal from RMG entrepreneurs of allowing meat imports from Brazil and three other countries with the aim of expanding RMG exports to the countries,” said Shah Emran, general secretary of BFDA.
Considering the proposal, he said, it would be suicidal if the government favored the proposal allowing meat imports.
BFDA President Imran Hossain said more than one crore people were directly involved in the industry so importing meat would hamper their livelihood.
The president claimed that the lions' share of foreign currencies what RMG sector earned was used for importing its raw materials, which meant less value addition.
On the other hand, dairy industry had higher value addition compared to the RMG, he added.
About rise in meat production, Imran claimed that the country was now self-sufficient in meat productions.
In the assembly, the dairy farmers presented a 10-point demand, including providing financial aid, ensuring easy-term loan, bringing the farms’ electricity bill under agricultural-sector-privilege.
The BFDA leaders said if the government provided these facilities they would ensure beef price at Tk350.
