Claiming that beef import would destroy the leather, dairy and beef industries of the country, the leaders of Dhaka Metropolitan Beef Traders' Association yesterday urged the government not to take any decision over its import, reports UNB.

The association leaders held a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) demanding an end to the move of importing beef from India, extortion in cattle markets and suspension of chief (estate) officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

Reading out s written statement, association's acting secretary general Rabiul Alam said, "The government is providing loan of Tk 200 crore for dairy farming which is encouraging the farmers a lot. But the decision of beef import will affect the dairy farmers and dairy related industries.”

Extortion with the help of a DNCC official is a regular phenomenon in Gabtoli cattle market where for each cattle additional Tk 5,000 to Tk 10,000 is being realised as charge while the government fixed rate is only Tk 100, he claimed.

If the extortion in Dhaka city and borders areas can be prevented, the prices of beef will surely come down, he said, adding that beef price will be decreased by Tk 100 to Tk150 per kg if extortion is prevented in the bordering areas."

In Dhaka city, per kg beef is now available at Tk 480 to Tk 500.

Beef Traders' Association's president Golam Mortuza Montu, Metropolitan Beef Traders' Association's general secretary Md Shahin

Ahmed were also present at the briefing.