Yunus’ interim government adviser also believes the US trade deal is harmful to the country’s agriculture and livestock resources

Couldn’t stop trade deal with US: Former advisor Farida Akhtar’s confession

Staff Correspondent

Dhaka, March 15, 2026: Farida Akhtar, former fisheries and livestock advisor to the interim government (led by Muhammad Yunus), said that she fought until the last day against the import of cheap meat, poultry and other animal products under the trade agreement with the United States, but could not stop the agreement even from within the government.

He made these remarks at a roundtable discussion titled ‘Power and Energy Crisis: CAB’s 13 Points and Public Expectations’ at the Dhaka Stream office in Panthapath in the capital on Saturday (March 14).

Farida Akhtar said, “Even from within the government, I could not stop the agreement with the United States. I fought until the last day. However, I also bear the responsibility for not being able to do so in the end.” She strongly criticized the confidentiality policy of the agreement and said, “One country is making an agreement with another country, and we are sitting there accepting that it should be kept secret. Even within the government, not everyone will know everything. This cannot happen.”

He said that in June 2025, the Ministry of Commerce contacted their ministry seeking approval to import meat, poultry, catfish and offal from the United States. But they objected, considering the safety of domestic farmers, public health and animal health risks—especially the possibility of genetic diseases.

Farida Akhtar also said, “Even though the United States has a high-quality testing system, we need to have our own testing system before coming to our country. But there is no such provision in the agreement. We have to accept what is there.”

He expressed concern that there is a risk of excess US meat being dumped in Bangladesh.

“The meat that will come is from overproduction. They have been fed genetically modified soybeans and corn, and since they can’t throw it into the ocean, we are going to become their dumping ground.”

She warned that the livelihoods of about 20 million farmers and people dependent on animal husbandry in the country could be seriously affected. Farida Akhtar said, “A large number of people in our country earn their living by raising cows and goats. If foreign meat comes to the market at a low price, then our farmers will face serious losses.”

In response to a question, he said about the 18-month tenure of Yunus’ interim government, “Many are saying that the Yunus government was a complete disappointment. The matter is not that simple. Every day, there were protests, various demands, administrative instability – everything had to be handled. There was pressure to meet the various demands accumulated over the last 15 years at that time. As a result, although many works could be started, not everything could be done. Therefore, it would not be right to view the entire period as just a disappointment.”

The admission could further strengthen public opinion against the trade deal with the United States. There have been calls for the deal to be reconsidered or amended under the current government. Farmer organizations are also reportedly preparing to protest against the deal.