A decision by the Algerian government to lift the ban on the import of mules and donkeys has sparked controversy among Algerians, who have questioned the import of materials that are contrary to their customs and food traditions, and the benefit of draining hard currency for things that do not benefit them. In its latest decision, the Algerian Ministry of Commerce allowed the importation of several goods that had already been banned due to pressure on public finances resulting from the decline in oil and gas revenues. The list included fresh and frozen meat of horses, donkeys and mules.
"Why should we import mules and donkeys in hard currency? They are available in Algeria and in abundance," said Said al-Amawi, the activist of the Arabic channel Al Arabiya.
Local media quoted an official source at the Ministry of Commerce as saying that the decision to import donkey and horse meat "is not new and is intended to facilitate the activities and functions of zoos, which use this kind of meat to feed predators, and to Asian restaurants that are active in Algeria, Chinese and Korean residents in the country. "
Recently, large quantities of donkey meat have been discovered in Algerian markets for human consumption on the grounds that they are cow meat. The security services periodically patrol secret slaughterhouses for donkeys and mules and confiscate meat before distributing them to restaurants and butcher shops.