Melilla Bans Lamb Imports from Morocco for Eid al-Adha Amid Health Concerns

The former president of the autonomous city of Melilla and leader of the Popular Party (PP), Juan José Imbroda, wishing during a press conference to wish the Muslim community of the city a happy Eid al-Adha, took the opportunity to convey a political message. "You cannot use religion for electoral purposes," denounced the PP leader, accusing the independent Coalition for Melilla (CpM) party and its leader, Mustafa Aberchán, of having initiated in the past a campaign against his party, which had opposed the importation of lambs from Morocco for the celebration of the Feast of Eid al-Adha.

To read: Morocco Mobilizes Veterinarians for Eid al-Adha Animal Health Checks

Juan José Imbroda is referring to the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic declared in Morocco in 2015, which had forced the then central government led by Mariano Rajoy to ban the importation of lambs from Morocco. These import restrictions were eased in July 2017 by the Ministry of Agriculture, which again authorized their entry into Spanish territory after a thorough health assessment.

To read: Eid Al-Adha: Sheep Prices Plummet as Buyers Stay Away in Morocco

Since the arrival in power of de Castro in Melilla, the situation has not changed. "Three Eid al-Adhas, three deceptions," says Juan José Imbroda, who underlines the disappointment of the Muslims of the city. "Now they will say it’s because of the pandemic, but before there was no Covid-19," he said. "Everyone except him knows that Morocco has closed its borders. Unless the lambs come by parachute with a visa in their mouths," reacted Aberchán, who claims that his party has no "lesson" to receive from the PP, before inviting the government to "defend the interests of the Spanish people".

To read: Eid al-Adha Sheep Market Struggles as City Closures Impact Breeders and Buyers

Eid al-Adha is a special event for all Muslims in the world and, economically, a great business opportunity for livestock farmers in the autonomous city and exporters of products to France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.