http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/flandersnews.be/News/070909_sheep_offering

Sun 09/09/07 - The massive outbreak of blue tongue in our country may
lead to a shortage of sheep for this year's ceremonial offering. So
far, over 14,000 animals have died from the viral disease that mainly
affects sheep.
Since the beginning of this year, there have been over 2,000 beds of
infection of bluetongue in our country.

The situation is dramatic as the number of sheep in our country has
dropped to a historic low of 120,000.
(Belga)
One in two farms has been affected by the disease and it is believed
that many more animals will die in the months to come.

Nevertheless, the demand for sheep on the market remains the same and
will even increase in view of the coming ceremonial offering.

The Islamic ceremonial offering this year takes place on 19 and 20
December and it is believed that some 10,000 to 12,000 sheep will be
needed to meet the demands.

Bringing up the stock to the old standard on such short notice is
simply impossible, also because animals that have been cured from the
disease remain less fertile afterwards.

One option may be to import sheep from other countries. Some African
countries, such as Senegal and Mali have an overproduction of sheep.