Thrissur: The shortage in the supply of beef and beef products that Kerala has been experiencing for a month may end next week.
The department of animal husbandry is set to review its ban on bringing cattle to Kerala from other states next week, is learnt. “This is being done in the wake of a fall in the foot and mouth disease in the state while the situation in the neighbouring states too has improved,’’ said a top official of the department.
A decision to review the ban was taken at a meeting convened by agriculture minister K.P. Mohanan. “We are now awaiting reports from Thrissur where the disease is yet to be brought under control and will take a final call within five days,” he added.
Last month, the state government had banned the import of cattle from other states to check the spread of FMD in the state. Following this, the state experienced a severe shortage of meat and meat products during Christmas-New Year season.
The attempts to meet the shortage of cattle supply through import of slaughtered animals also had failed. Officials said that the department was also planning to set up a modern abattoir near one of the check posts in Palakkad district. “This will ensure scientific treating of slaughter wastes while importing meat to the state,” they said.
