Islamabad Donkey Meat Seizure Exposes Illegal Trade
As the demand for donkey by-products continues to drive the illicit trade, the IFA's public awareness campaign and regulatory efforts aim to prevent abuse and ensure humane treatment, while also promoting a legitimate and regulated industry that benefits local communities and economies.
The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) has dismantled an illegal donkey slaughter operation, seizing over 1 tonne of meat and rescuing 50 donkeys, in a raid that highlights the growing problem of illicit donkey meat trade in the region.
The operation, conducted in coordination with local police and the district administration, also led to the arrest of a foreign national linked to a wider illegal network. Initial investigations suggest that the seized meat was being sold locally and prepared for export abroad, with demand driven by the soaring international market for donkey hides and meat, particularly from China.
The increasing demand for donkey by-products has triggered a rise in illegal slaughter around the world, including in Pakistan. However, the country is taking steps to legitimize and regulate its involvement in the donkey by-products export market, including the approval of protocols to export donkey hides to China and the launch of a sanctioned donkey meat and hide processing plant in Gwadar.
Veterinary experts and animal welfare advocates are calling for tighter regulation and monitoring to prevent abuse and ensure humane treatment, as the rising demand for hides has sent prices soaring, pricing out local buyers and disrupting local supply chains. The IFA has launched a public awareness campaign and urged citizens to report any suspicious activity involving animal slaughter or unlabeled meat sales.
The crackdown on illegal donkey meat trade is expected to continue, with authorities vowing to take action against those involved in the illicit trade. The IFA's efforts to regulate the industry and protect animal welfare are seen as a positive step towards addressing the growing problem of illegal donkey slaughter in the region.