LASG To Prevent Pandemic In Abattoirs, Enforces Meat Industry Rules

Lagos to enforce meat industry rules
…the activities of non-professionals who engage in impersonating veterinarians have become a threat to the practice.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Lagos State government said it is determined to enforce stricter meat industry rules to prevent pandemics in abattoirs with two million cows slaughtered yearly in the state.

Speaking at the stakeholder’s engagement forum with private operators of veterinary phases, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya said the state consumes over 1.8 million cattle and about 1.6 million sheep and goats which make the industry a big ecosystem.

She said the government wants to give residents improved access to veterinary services when and where they need it, especially in rural areas, to better support animal health, the livestock agri-food sector and the strength of the food supply.

According to her, the ministry is ready to overhaul abattoir operations to prevent the consumption of unwholesome meat by increasing the number of veterinarians allocated for food inspection in each modular slaughterhouse.

She said the government was working on an industry policy to modernise activities in the food sector, including the red meat value chain ,from animal identification to husbandry, slaughtering, processing and transportation to final consumers, to ensure sanity in the system.

She said the government was putting in place measures to protect the health of animals and ensure a consistent, high-quality supply of food, and support initiatives to strengthen public confidence in agriculture.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae said the government was determined to protect the welfare of livestock animals , help ensure food supply is secure, and to support the crucial role of veterinarians in ensuring that.

According to her, the government wants to address the challenges faced by veterinarians and improve access to the essential veterinary services required to keep their livestock healthy.

She said the purpose of the forum was to ensure a strong livestock sector and have a positive impact across the agri-food supply chain.

President, Commonwealth Veterinary Association, Dr Olatunji Nasir urged the government to support veterinary experts to tackle the challenge of quackery bedeviling the industry, describing it as an albatross that has caused financial losses and integrity damage to the profession.

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He said the activities of non-professionals who engage in impersonating veterinarians have become a threat to the practice.

The President, Small Animal Veterinary Association of Nigeria (SAVAN), Dr. Kunle Abiade, who described quackery as a serious albatross, said some people were fond of pretending to be what they are not, impersonating veterinarians and in the process damaging the integrity of the profession.

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A.A.S Opeyemi

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