PANJIM: The price of beef in the State has increased by 10 per cent in view of the shortage of meat imports faced by traders. While beef with bone will now cost Rs 220 a kg, boneless beef will cost Rs 280 per kg.
Speaking to Herald, All Goa Qureshi Meat Traders Association (AGQMTA) president Manna Bepari said that due to the increased pressure there is short supply of beef from across the border. “In view of the short supply we are compelled to increase beef prices in the State as prices have shot up even in Karnataka from our suppliers,” he added.
He further said that cow protection activists have begun to create pressure and trouble traders and therefore the supply of bulls has decreased. He said, “This has led to increase in prices by our counterparts in Karnataka who supply beef to us. With no option the rates in Goa’s market have also surged.”
Responding to a question on the beef imports, he said, “Cow slaughter is banned across the country and as such there is no cow slaughtered for beef, it is wrong information spread by mischievous people. Only bulls are slaughtered, that too after receiving the proper documentation from the competent authority. Since Goa’s abattoir has stopped functioning, we have to import beef from Karnataka through the proper channel with government authorisation. Even this is being hampered due to intervention by cow vigilantes.”
