Red meats: Sadiki meets with professionals

The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki, chaired two working meetings in Rabat on Tuesday, respectively with the inter-professional organizations of the red meat and milk sectors in order to discuss the measures necessary to maintain the balance of these sectors and strengthen food sovereignty in a difficult context of drought.

During these meetings, the parties agreed on a number of measures to safeguard the achievements linked to the development of these two sectors, in particular the continuation of support for livestock feed for cattle and sheep breeders and compound feed for fattening, support for the importation of feed intended for animal consumption and the preparation of a law on livestock farming.

It also involves the development of resilient fodder crops, particularly sorghum, the regulation of artificial insemination, the importation and sale of seeds, the development of the production of more productive mixed breeds, the protection of female sheep and cattle, and the establishment of a regulatory framework for cattle and sheep fattening units.

Working meetings will be held to finalize these measures and for the implementation of the milk and red meat program contracts.

For his part, the president of the National Association of Red Meat Producers (ANPVR), Mustapha El Khouli, highlighted the joint efforts made by the ministry and professionals that have made it possible to achieve solid production, particularly in terms of beef, sheep and goat meat, mentioning the measures taken to guarantee quality production, such as improving livestock feed, which has led to better quality meat.

For his part, the president of the Interprofessional Federation of the Dairy Industry (Maroc Lait), Rachid El Khattate, noted: “The Federation is doing everything possible to collect milk from all the players involved in the industry, ensuring that supplies are sufficient.”

As for the president of the National Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders (ANOC), Abderrahmane Majdoubi, he returned to the significant challenges faced by sheep and goat breeders, as well as professionals in the red meat sector, due to the drought.

He also commended the ministry’s initiatives and efforts to support these crucial sectors in difficult times.

These meetings provided an opportunity for participants to discuss the current situation of the sector and the red meat and milk sectors and the challenges they face in the context of drought. Thus, the discussions focused on the situation of the national livestock, the price of animals and red meat and the various issues related to imports, as well as the support measures proposed to safeguard the activities related to these two sectors and the normal supply of the national market in red meat and milk, given their socio-economic importance and their contribution to the country’s food security.

The Ministry and all of its services and establishments remain mobilized and fully committed alongside professionals to ensure a normal and regular supply of the market and to ensure the achievement of the development objectives of these two sectors within the framework of the program contracts for the implementation of the Generation Green strategy. Also taking part in these meetings were the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Crédit Agricole du Maroc, professionals and representatives of regional chambers of agriculture, as well as senior officials of the Ministry.

These interviews are part of the process of supporting interprofessional agricultural federations for the protection of acquired rights, the development of agricultural sectors and the strengthening of the resilience of the sector within the framework of the Generation Green strategy.

LNT with Map