Sheep and goat farmers are anxiously waiting for government support after the recent decision to ban Eid al-Adha sacrifices.
A well-informed source told Hespress Ar that Agriculture Minister Ahmed Elbouari assured representatives of the National Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders (ANOC) that assistance projects for affected farmers will be launched before Eid al-Fitr.
The minister also pledged financial aid following the prohibition of slaughtering female sheep and goats.
But when Hespress Ar contacted ANOC president Abderrahmane Majdoubi, he said that nothing official has been confirmed yet.
“We requested this meeting with the ministry because the current situation is extremely difficult for breeders. Many are struggling to repay debts, whether to individuals or banks,” Majdoubi said.
Despite the positive atmosphere during the meeting, Majdoubi admitted that farmers are still in the dark about what kind of support they will receive.
“We don’t yet know the details of the minister’s promised measures, but they are urgently needed to help breeders stay in business,” Majdoubi said.
“The main goal now is to rebuild the national livestock population, and that requires keeping farmers in the profession despite their financial hardships,” he added.
The ban on slaughtering female sheep and goats aims to restore livestock numbers over time. But Majdoubi said that farmers need assistance to keep these animals for longer periods.
“Raising sheep requires time, effort, and financial resources. Without support, some farmers might resort to illegal slaughter,” he warned.
To ease the burden, ANOC has proposed subsidies, feed aid, and debt relief.
“Some farmers risk imprisonment due to financial difficulties after the Eid ban,” Majdoubi pointed out.
“If we want them to comply with the new rules, they need incentives. There will always be cases where slaughter is necessary for health reasons, and that should be taken into account,” he added.
The ban, issued in a joint directive by the Ministries of Interior and Agriculture, came into effect on March 19, 2025, and will last until the end of March 2026.
The directive outlines a national plan to enforce the slaughter ban at official slaughterhouses, with exceptions only for sick or aging animals, as well as imported livestock intended for meat production.
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