The government has increased the fees on dry animals at market level after multiple taxes were raised under categories such as ‘health clearance’, ‘keeping of milching animals’ and ‘entry’ fees, a local media outlet reported on Thursday.
Cattle traders criticised the move of obtaining additional fees at Karachi’s entry points and claimed the added cost would be passed on to consumers.
The fees on dry animals has been raised from Rs40 and Rs60 to Rs100, while health clearance fee has been raised from Rs50 to Rs150, said a Dairy and Cattle Farmers’ Association official. Fees on milching animals has also been increased from Rs150 to Rs250.
Animals that are no longer producing milk are classified as ‘dry animals’.
One trader alleged that entry checkpoint officials at Nooriabad forced traders to pay fees and did not have any mechanism in place to ensure only disease-free animals passed through.
“We inspect all animals and provide medicines if required,” said one of the checkpoint officials, claiming to be a veterinary surgeon.
Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council former registrar Dr Alamdar Hussain said that the Sindh government needs to update its livestock regulations.
District Council Karachi (DCK) Chief Officer Masroor Memon defended the move and said that taxes were collected from traders each year.