Morocco to Ban Slaughter of Female Sheep to Protect National Herd

Banning the slaughter of ewes in approved slaughterhouses and developing a draft law to structure the livestock sector. These are among the measures taken by Ahmed El Bouari to preserve the national herd and ensure the sustainability of livestock farming. Already in effect, the ban on slaughtering ewes in approved slaughterhouses should be generalized in the coming months. Consultations are underway with the relevant authorities to extend this ban to other unapproved slaughter sites, thus ensuring a widespread application of this measure, the minister assured in an interview with Assabah.

The draft law aimed at structuring the livestock sector and providing the state with essential regulatory mechanisms should be developed soon. The main thrusts of this reform include the regulation of artificial insemination practices, the preservation of breeding females, genetic improvement, animal traceability and the protection of the herd. This project is part of a desire to modernize the agricultural sector, in response to the many challenges posed by drought and market fluctuations, the minister said.

Addressing the difficulties faced by livestock farmers and farmers, mainly due to seven consecutive years of drought, El Bouari explains that this situation has considerably reduced pastures and the number of livestock available. Hence the call by King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, not to sacrifice sheep during Eid Al-Adha. In response, a salutary royal decision was made urging citizens not to sacrifice sheep during the next Eid festival, in order to limit the pressure on the herd, the minister added.