CAIRO - Veterinarians, butchers and experts on livestock breeding described the old veal project, recently revived by the Government, as a step in the right direction. But they said it would not be enough to lower the high meat prices the Egyptian consumers were burdened with. A comprehensive system was needed to reach price stability, including subsidised imported fodder for a temporary period. Monopolies also had to be stopped. The experts also stressed the importance of supplying vaccines to fight animal diseases and stated that price stability could only be reached if the gap between consumption and local production was reduced. The latter covered only 45 per cent of consumption. According to Samir Abul Ezz, professor of animal physiology at the Desert Research Institute, the veal project would increase the meat production and create a price competition in favour of the consumer. A kilogramme of meat could be sold for LE40 ($6) instead of LE80, however that would need many years and not six months; and only if the producers had access to subsided fodder and veterinary care, including vaccines. He stressed the importance of giving loans to all producer categories. Otherwise the Ministry of Agriculture would have to fix the prices, oversee the meat production and supervise the sale to butchers to increase the supply. Hisham el-Bana, professor of meat production at Cairo University, noted that in order to reduce the meat prices, production and meat variety has to be increased. “This could be achieved by cutting fodder prices and importing calves that weigh no less than 200kg and fattening them up. “ He stressed the importance of opening new markets and importing camels from Sudan and Somalia to contribute to the variety of meat. Mohamed el-Waer, leader of the Dina farmers, attributed the meat crisis to a decrease in the local cattle production, particularly due to the disappearance of land where animals are bred, and farmers abandoning their work and moving into the towns. Thus the veal project could add a small increase to local production. The real solution would be based on setting up major investment projects and encouraging businessmen to create animal breeding enterprises with high profit margins. However, interested business people had to be provided with facilities such as land and infrastructure in addition to easing cattle imports. Alaa Draz, a cattle farmer, called for a ministerial decree stopping butchery completely for six months. Consequently production could be increased, similar to what happened in some European countries. Mohamed Ghoneim, a butcher, wanted control imposed on animal breeding and subsidies for junior breeders, while diseases such as foot and mouth had to be fought with vaccines. He pointed out that some of the available vaccines were not fit for use. Mohamed Wahba, head of cattle breeding at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, told Al-Messa local newspaper that it would be impossible to cut meat prices after only six months, this could only be achieved after several years. Breeding and feeding an animal from birth to reach a weight of 400kg would take 20 to 22 months. He added that the sector had always been in favour of reviving the veal project, but with the condition attached that young farmers would receive subsidised fodder and interest-free loans.
