The Lagos State Government has given illegal abattoirs two weeks within which to close down operations or risk severe consequences.
This is contained in a statement signed by the state's Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Toyin Suarau, in Lagos on Monday.
The commissioner in the statement declared that such unauthorised abattoir would not be allowed to frustrate the resolve to monitor the quality of meat sold to members of the public.
He said that it had become very necessary to monitor the whole process of meat handling, right from the animal markets to the abattoir, and even its transportation.
The commissioner said that the riot act was part of the measures to curb the spread of unwholesome processed meat and meat products.
He added that that government had handled the distribution aspect by introducing the Eko Refrigerated Meat Van, which was being used to transport meat, rather than the former obnoxious meat transportation.
``Government will continue to close down illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs, which are not hygienic and not in compliant with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the state’," the official said
He said that the issue of animal slaughtering was still a big issue because a lot of animals must be inspected before and after slaughtering, to ensure compliance with the meat inspection law.
“The danger with unrecognised abattoirs is that the animals slaughtered there are not inspected by veterinary professionals to detect the one that has diseased or even pregnant ones, because it is illegal to slaughter pregnant animals,’’ he said.
Suarau disclosed that the two weeks ultimatum also affected operators of illegal abattoirs located within Military Cantonments and Barracks in the State, where veterinary officers are denied access.
According to him, the state government could no longer tolerate such illegal practice.
“We have veterinary officers deployed to all recognised abattoirs in the state to inspect and certify the meat hygienic for human consumption.
“This is reason we are advocating that all illegal abattoirs in State should be shut down,” he said.
The commissioner further listed some of the authorised abattoirs in the state to include those at Lairage Complex Agege, Achakpo, Ajegunle, Ologe Mechanized Abattoir, Badagry (Under construction), the Matori Slaughter Slab, as well as Itire Slaughter Slab,
Others are the Ilaje Slaughter Slab, Ikorodu Slaughter Slab, Badagry Slaughter Slab and Epe Slaughter Slab.
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