Dhaka, May 17 -- Some 12.98 million cattle are available this year, exceeding the maximum projected demand of 10.7 million, for Eid-ul-Azha -- the feast of sacrifice to be celebrated in the third week of June.

The livestock includes 5.27 million cows, 0.161 million buffaloes, 6.85 million goats, 0.77 million sheep and 1,850 other animals, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman.

During an inter-ministerial meeting at the Department of Livestock Services on the demand and supply of sacrificial animals on Thursday afternoon, the minister said there is no need to import sacrificial animals as there is an excess supply.

He said this year's supply represents a 3 per cent increase over last year's.

The meeting also talked about m...