Deputy Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry
Kh.Zoljargal has said that contrary to the prevalent practice of entrusting the
National Emergency Mitigation Agency with the responsibility of storing hay and
fodder, this year every district has been asked to prepare 100-180 tons of hay
so that there is no problem with local distribution in the event of urgent
need. The Asian Development Bank has given MNT3 billion to be distributed among
herders who have lost all their animals. Each such household is getting
MNT300,000 to replenish their herd. The Government has no other plans to help
herders in this, but livestock borrowing is in full swing among them.

Zoljargal said emphasis on mining and infrastructure
development must not underestimate the contribution livestock meat and other
products can make to the national economy. Once their safety is guaranteed by
international standards of health and hygiene, export of meat, guts, skin and
hides can easily earn USD300 million annually, a figure that will rise if
Mongolia can also produce end products.

The Minister was confident domestic meat prices can be
kept stable with proper planning. “There is no reason the Government should
take the responsibility to provide cheap meat for those who can afford high
prices, but the interests of the comparatively less affluent and more
vulnerable sections, who consume goat and horse meat, should be served by
storing enough of these in the national reserve,” he said. If government policy
regulations keep these meats cheap, the price of lamb and beef can also be kept
stable, he said.