PANJIM: In view of the increase of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) cases in some districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, meat traders in Goa are cautious while bringing cattle to the state.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Qureshi Meat Traders’ Association president Manna Bepari said, “Though there is no issue of meat supply due to Lumpy Skin disease in the neighbouring states, we are taking precaution while bringing live cattle from outside the State. There is no ban on import of cattle from the neighbouring states but we are taking precautions. We do not want to create trouble as there is already less consumption of meat and people are more inclined towards purchasing fish.”
However, he accepted that the disease has affected supply of cattle to some extent.
“Just for people’s awareness, we are bringing a smaller number of live cattle from Karnataka. Buffaloes are slaughtered in Goa, itself but we have minimised their import as well. For the last one month, we are not bringing live cattle from Karnataka as much as we used to,” he said.
He added that in view of Goa Meat Complex being operational, there is no issue of meat supply in the state. “Fish is more in demand than meat. That is why we have reduced import of live cattle,’’ he said.
