A MODERN stockyard for cattle, sheep and poultry could be created in Bahrain for farm animals to be displayed before being sold or slaughtered.
Small farmers in rural communities around the globe depend on a stable, conveniently located stockyard to make their living, and councillors believe the same applies to the kingdom.
Northern Municipal Council member Abdulla Al Qobaisi, representing Northern Governorate constituency nine (west Hamad Town), is proposing that the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry offers a specialist yard for breeders.
The stockyard would feature auction areas for bulk sales and would also have spaces where the animals and birds could be exhibited before being bought.
Licensed abattoirs and slaughterhouses would have their services made available through trucks or portable cabins for customers wishing to carry home fresh meat.
The councillor, who has presented the proposal to his chairman Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaie, hoped his colleagues would give it the green light prior to Ramadan when demand is high, although that appears unlikely. It would be up to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak to ratify the decision and start the necessary formalities.
“Local farmers producing fruits and vegetables have their own permanent market in Hawrat A’ali and even a seasonal market every year to showcase and sell their produce,” said Mr Al Qobaisi. “However, the same privileges are not offered to livestock breeders, who are forced to market themselves in the hope of attracting business,” he added.
“We are not trying to take away business from the Bahrain Livestock Company or the Delmon Poultry Company, who could also be taken into account in the new stockyard set up as they too have the right to showcase their cattle, sheep and poultry.
“What we are seeking is an open market for all in which livestock is presented at competitive prices for bulk and individual sales.”
He added that some customers like to have the ox, cow, goat, sheep or chicken taken to their homes and slaughtered there as a blessing, while others like to take fresh meat from the market.
“It is a win-win situation, butchery services would remain mainly with licensed abattoirs and slaughterhouses, unless customers prefer to do it themselves as a sacrifice in their own homes for blessings,” suggested Mr Al Qobaisi.
“Hotels and restaurants would be also able to get their hands on livestock at reasonable prices if they entered bulk quantity auctions held daily or weekly.”
The GDN reported on Friday that Bahrain is set to step up efforts to boost food security and ensure the sustainability of supply chains by increasing agricultural, animal and marine product sectors.
According to Mr Al Mubarak, through the use of hydroponics, local farm product was expected to increase gradually by 50 per cent.
There were also plans for a new hatching aqua farm with a capacity to breed 15 million finger fish, he added in a written reply to the Shura Council.
Another initiative resulted in the General Poultry Company expanding its production of eggs by 50pc.
The minister also said in partnership with the Health Ministry, the National Agricultural Laboratories Centre in Hawrat A’ali have been launched to test local and exported agriculture products and animals to ensure they are healthy and fit for human consumption, the GDN reported.
Mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))