Secretary of the Butchers and Importers and Traders of Live Livestock Union, Majid Eid, confirmed in a statement that "the import of live livestock in 2023 was better compared to 2022," noting that "the quantities of live livestock imported in 2023 reached between 40% and 50% compared to the import rate before the economic crisis that Lebanon has been experiencing for four years." Eid mentioned the "increase in the import of frozen and chilled meats, especially Indian frozen meat," warning that "frozen meats are flooding the markets in large and alarming quantities."
In discussing the efforts made by the Ministry of Economy and Trade to regulate the markets, Eid said, "While we respect and appreciate the Ministry of Economy, the results of the efforts made are limited, as the Consumer Protection Directorate includes only 70 employees, which is not nearly enough to suppress the violations happening across all of Lebanon." He emphasized that "the consumer protection law and the fines imposed on violators are low, highlighting the need for quick amendments to the laws to align with the current stage, and consequently, the issuance of strict measures against violators." Eid argued that "the efforts of three ministries—Economy and Trade, Agriculture, and Health—should be combined, so that they are present in the markets during this difficult phase to address all violations related to citizens' food security, not just those related to meat."
