The Giza Governorate has called for a month-long meat boycott starting today intended to counter rising meat prices, which have reached LE80 per kilo in some areas. Mostafa el-Khatib, head of the Giza Local Council, said the council has unanimously agreed to boycott meat, and urges the citizens to join in the one-month campaign, which will extend to two months if cattle traders, breeders and butchers do not lower their prices. El-Khateeb added that the governor and his family will participate in the campaign along with members of the local council and officials from the district. In response to the rising prices, the food supply directorate has been instructed to make meat alternatives--fish, poultry, eggs, milk, soybeans and mushrooms--readily available for citizens. Consumer cooperatives will sell these products at reduced prices, el-Khateeb said. In addition, the governorate is discussing the possibility of extending cattle import contracts with Ethiopia and Djibouti, he added. After the boycott ends, the governorate plans to establish meat distribution outlets that sell a kilo of meat for LE30. Several companies said they are willing to cooperate, he added. In other news, the First Regional Forum of Livestock Development, which concluded two days ago, advised against slaughtering female cattle and calves weighing under 300 kilograms, and suggested against mixing strains of cattle. It also suggested that agricultural waste be used as fodder to make up for the shortage resulting from climate change. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
