By Daniel Essiet
The Executive Director, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Dr Olufemi Oladunni has called for proper licensing and monitoring of private abattoirs to prevent animal disease spread.
Oladunni said the beef industry could be threatened following outbreaks of diseases.
As consumers clamour for small-scale meat, he noted that producers are racing to provide it, but the lack of slaughterhouses hinders growth.
While there aren’t enough slaughter houses to support the farm-to-table economy, the ARMTI chief said there must be rules and laws created to help inspectors monitor facilities that are ill-suited for operations.
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He said inspectors have to take appropriate regulatory actions to ensure that the nation’s commercial supply of meat is safe and wholesome, regardless of the size of the establishment.
According to him, the government should farmers to sell chops, steaks, and other cuts of beef and pork processed in regulated custom slaughterhouses as long as the sales stayed within state lines.
He continued that smaller scale, regulated custom slaughterhouses provide more traceability and less commingling of products from various sources, which, ultimately, makes them safer.
He maintained that operators must meet legislative requirements for slaughterhouse design, layout and equipment, and their slaughterers must be competent, appropriately trained, and licensed to handle and slaughter all species presented to them.
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