Moroccan authorities address red meat supply concerns

MOROCCO – The National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) has assured Moroccans that the country’s livestock remains healthy despite recent concerns over red meat safety.

The unrest started when a breeder recently claimed in a social media video that the meat contains a harmful antibiotic and that the animals require a two-month waiting period before they are safe for consumption.

In response, ONSSA released a statement confirming that livestock across the country undergoes continuous monitoring by both public and private veterinary services in collaboration with local authorities.

The agency emphasized that veterinary medicines, including prescriptions and treatments, are strictly regulated and can only be administered by licensed veterinarians after a proper diagnosis.

Regarding vaccines, ONSSA explained that they are biological products intended to protect animals from diseases, stating that they do not pose any threat to humans, animals, or the environment.

The controversy over red meat safety comes at a time when Morocco is grappling with a significant decline in livestock numbers due to prolonged drought.

A few weeks earlier, authorities announced that Morocco will not hold the traditional sheep sacrifice for Eid al-Adha in 2025 due to worsening drought conditions.

King Mohammed VI urged Moroccans to forgo the annual ritual, which is central to the celebrations scheduled for June 6, as the country struggles to meet demand for sacrificial animals.

Imports Increase as Morocco Seeks Alternative Red Meat Sources

On February 20, officials confirmed that Morocco will import 100,000 sheep from Australia as part of an agreement between the two nations.

The initiative is part of efforts to stabilize the red meat supply, which has come under strain due to the ongoing decline in domestic livestock production.

Morocco has one of the highest red meat consumption rates in Africa, with an annual per capita intake of 17 kilograms.

Drought conditions over the past six years have reduced available grazing land and increased the cost of animal feed, further complicating the situation for local farmers.

Government data from early 2025 indicates that the country has lost 38% of its sheep and cattle population since 2016, making it increasingly difficult to sustain production.

Each year, between five and eight million sheep and goats are slaughtered for Eid al-Adha, a demand that authorities say would put excessive pressure on the struggling livestock sector if the practice continued in 2025.

To ease shortages, the 2025 finance bill includes provisions to import 720,000 sheep and goats from various sources, expanding beyond the country’s usual suppliers.

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