Tunisia-SYNAGRI executive board calls on government to immediately stop importation of feeder calves and heifers

The executive office of the Tunisian farmers’ union in a statement on Sunday asked on the government to immediately halt the importation of fattening calves and to develop local heifer breeding, at a premium of 500 dinars.
SYNAGRI points to the various difficulties facing the red meat and milk sector, which will lead to a blockage of the entire system. It also noticed the decline in the prices of red meats, compared to the same period last year, the proceeded importation of fattening calves and heifers, the excess production of red meats at the national level, the deterioration of the situation of the social fabric, in rural areas which is mainly based on small and medium breeders, has pushed many among them to emigrate from their regions.

It proposes as solutions to get out of this crisis, to market Tunisian production to public institutions, such as hospitals, barracks and university restaurants, instead of importing meat from abroad.
It also recommends granting a bonus of 500 dinars to breeders to develop local breeding of heifers and improve the breed and to stop the importation of fattening calves until the recovery of the sector, in a context of propagation. bluetongue disease (bluetongue) which has impacted consumption already affected by the deterioration in consumer purchasing power.