Consumer protectors entered the line of controversy accompanying Eid al-Adha, especially after the news circulating about the possibility of an increase in livestock prices this year.
In this context, the Moroccan League for Consumer Rights warned against mediators manipulating the prices of Eid sacrifices, noting that the government provided support to professionals in order to import sheep and thus maintain price stability.
The association explained that the financial support granted by the government to livestock professionals imposes “price ceilings” in the field of selling sacrificial animals, given the specificity of this year, which was marked by the high cost of living, calling for strict application of the law in order to limit the practices of speculators that raise the prices of sacrificial animals every year.
The university confirmed, in the words of its president, Bouazza Al-Kharati, that “the practices of speculators and brokers are common during Eid Al-Adha, but rather turned into a seasonal profession for those who have no profession,” noting that this “causes an illegal increase in prices, and therefore the customer is the victim of these manipulations.”
-The same spokesman added that “the government granted professionals financial support amounting to 500 dirhams for each sheep imported from abroad, specifically Spain, Romania and Portugal,” which imposes price control because it is related to official government support, as he put it.
-Al-Kharati explained that brokers raise prices in an unacceptable manner, which pushes consumers to borrow to buy the Eid al-Adha sacrifice, highlighting that the government is required to activate the tasks of the Ministry of Interior committees to control prices in mass markets.
In light of this, Al-Kharati called on the public authorities to determine the average prices for the sale of sacrificial animals so that the consumer is aware of the prices, pointing out that the government is also required to support small farmers who did not benefit from any financial support despite the consequences of the drought.
The same speaker stressed the need to “modify the government policy regarding the livestock sector in the coming years, similar to the agricultural sector, to achieve food sovereignty,” especially since the national herd product is not available as required, according to the same speaker.
