By: MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos.
An agency for the regulation of veterinary premises has been inaugurated by the Lagos State government.
Known as the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Unit (of the Ministry of Agriculture), it will be responsible for dislodging illegal abattoirs, seize stray animals and monitor transportation of meat, among other duties.
Inaugurated by Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, the Commissioner for Agriculture, the unit dislodged over 100 illegal shanties and structures at Oko-oba abattoir on its first outing recently.
The commissioner said the establishment of the unit will contribute in developing red meat value chain and promote healthy environment.
He assured that the government ensures that products from abattoirs and slaughter slabs in Lagos meet the global quality, safety and compliance requirements.
According to Suarau, it has become necessary to introduce forceful intervention in order to bring about change in operation of abattoirs.
The setting up of the unit, he stressed “will help prevent the spread of diseases, promote data collection for planning, promote good animal welfare and make Lagos a safe place for all inhabitants by discouraging environmental pollution and health hazards.
He regretted that in the past illegal abattoirs abound, and even the frontage of food centres were used as slaughter places.
He vowed that the state government has resolved to prosecute owners of stray animals. Government will no longer fold its hands and allow the menace to continue, the commissioner said.
“Apart from causing accidentson our roads, these stray animals could also spread contagious disease such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments that could lead to death,” Suarau stressed.
The transformation from traditional way of abnimal slaughtering to mechanized system will encourage public-pr5ivate sector partnership, the commissioner pointed out.
Known as the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Unit (of the Ministry of Agriculture), it will be responsible for dislodging illegal abattoirs, seize stray animals and monitor transportation of meat, among other duties.
Inaugurated by Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, the Commissioner for Agriculture, the unit dislodged over 100 illegal shanties and structures at Oko-oba abattoir on its first outing recently.
The commissioner said the establishment of the unit will contribute in developing red meat value chain and promote healthy environment.
He assured that the government ensures that products from abattoirs and slaughter slabs in Lagos meet the global quality, safety and compliance requirements.
According to Suarau, it has become necessary to introduce forceful intervention in order to bring about change in operation of abattoirs.
The setting up of the unit, he stressed “will help prevent the spread of diseases, promote data collection for planning, promote good animal welfare and make Lagos a safe place for all inhabitants by discouraging environmental pollution and health hazards.
He regretted that in the past illegal abattoirs abound, and even the frontage of food centres were used as slaughter places.
He vowed that the state government has resolved to prosecute owners of stray animals. Government will no longer fold its hands and allow the menace to continue, the commissioner said.
“Apart from causing accidentson our roads, these stray animals could also spread contagious disease such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments that could lead to death,” Suarau stressed.
The transformation from traditional way of abnimal slaughtering to mechanized system will encourage public-pr5ivate sector partnership, the commissioner pointed out.
