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KUCHING, June 27: The Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Sarawak has given its assurance that there are sufficient cattle for the coming Hari Raya Aidiladha this Thursday (June 29).
According to a media release, its minister, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said Sarawak needs 1,500 to 2,000 cattle yearly.
“This year, 1,300 cattle were imported from Australia and 80 from Sabah, with the remaining 500 supplied from local producers,” he said.
He added that the ministry aims to produce 10,000 cattle annually by 2030 to reduce dependence on imports from Australia and Sabah.
“Sarawak cannot import from Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia due to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and Sarawak is still recognised as free of FMD disease without vaccination by the World Organisation for Animal Health,” he said.
Dr Rundi also said the demand for sacrificial cattle this year has decreased compared to the previous year due to the more than 20 per cent increase in the price of cattle, with the rise in the cost of input such as feed, lack of farm workers, the declining value of the ringgit, and the current economic situation also playing a factor.
“Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the price for cattle weighing 300kg to 350kg was estimated at RM6,000 per animal, but now the price has reached up to RM7,000. For 450kg to 500kg cattle, the price can reach RM10,000 per animal,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Rundi also reminded those celebrating to ensure that the livestock’s welfare should be taken care of before the celebration, such as giving them sufficient water and food, and to not slaughter pregnant cows.
The cattle may be obtained from suppliers monitored by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS):
- Siburan Halal Abattoir, PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd, Serian
- Sara Citra Cattle Farm, Kuching
- Mayang Cattle Feedlot SALCRA, Serian
- Mucow Malaysia Farm, Temudok, Sri Aman
- Alam Bumijaya Karabungan, Miri
- Individual breeders throughout Sarawak
- Farms integrating cattle with palm oil
— DayakDaily
