Agriculture minister urged to resign over soaring Eid sheep prices

Former Justice Minister Mustapha Ramid has criticized the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, Maritime Fisheries, Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari, over the sharp rise in the prices of sacrificial animals in Moroccan markets. He said Moroccan families are facing an «unprecedented» situation this season because of the «blazing fire in the sheep markets», calling for accountability through «the resignation of the minister concerned», which he described as «the very least that can be done».

In a post on his Facebook account, Ramid said he had followed «with sadness and regret» the angry voices of citizens denouncing the soaring prices of rams in most Moroccan markets. He stressed that the level of anger and resentment being expressed by Moroccans is unlike anything the country has seen on any previous occasion linked to Eid al-Adha.

The former minister noted that this situation comes after a year in which sacrificial animals were not slaughtered, amid substantial government financial support from which sheep importers benefited, and following a rainy season that points to a good agricultural harvest. «So where is the problem?» he asked.

Ramid argued that the problem lies in the «agricultural policy», which he said «failed to manage the issue with foresight and anticipation». He also criticized the agriculture minister’s statements in Parliament about the possibility of buying a sacrificial animal for 1,000 dirhams, before later referring to 2,000 dirhams, saying such a price «exists only in his imagination, far removed from reality».

Moroccan markets are witnessing a steep rise in the prices of Eid sacrificial animals ahead of the holiday, expected tomorrow, Wednesday, sparking widespread public discontent.