Sale of subsidised sheep for Eid al-Adha begins

The sale of subsidised sheep to Qatari citizens on the occasion of Eid al-Adha will begin today, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has said. The process will continue until August 23, coinciding with the third day of Eid al-Adha.As part of the initiative, which is being implemented for the sixth consecutive year, sheep will be sold to adult Qataris through Widam Food Company at a number of locations. In a press statement yesterday, the MEC said it has fixed the price of local sheep weighing 40kg and above at QR1,200 per head, while Arabic sheep of 45kg and above will be sold for QR1,100 per head. Accordingly, the MEC has entered into a contract with Widam Food Company to supply 12,500 sheep as part of the annual initiative, including 10,000 Syrian-origin sheep and 2,500 heads of local sheep. Direct selling points for customers have been allocated in the Abu Hamour area (central market) and other Widam slaughterhouses in Al Shamal, Al Khor and the Umm Salal market. Every Qatari citizen aged 20 years or above is entitled to buy one sheep as part of the initiative, and the buyer should present his/her Qatar ID accordingly. In addition, the MEC has co-ordinated with Widam to sell only good-quality sheep that comply with the conditions and standards specified for sacrificial animals, and should also be in accordance with the stipulated weights. Besides, the sheep should be properly looked after and kept in well-maintained barns.The ministry has said it will conduct intensive search campaigns to ensure the implementation of the initiative in line with the relevant rules and regulations. This will be done from today until the last day of the campaign, August 23.The MEC has urged all consumers to report violations or submit complaints and suggestions through the call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@mec.gov.qa, Twitter: MEC_QATAR, Instagram: MEC_QATAR and the application of the ministry on smartphones available on iPhone and Android devices: MEC_QATAR