Total Lockdown due to COVID-19 will endanger Livestock Industry in Nigeria – NIAS tells FG

The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has announced that the government’s directive limiting the current movement to stop the spread of Corona virus will jeopardize the livestock industry in the country.

NIAS President, Professor I. F. Adu and the Registrar/CEO, Professor E. A.  Iyayi in Abuja said shepherds/breeders should be allowed to graze their animals freely. This reaction followed the restriction of movement in some states of Nigeria in an attempt to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Source: NIAS Website

In a statement, the institute called on the government to ensure that the livestock industry is exempt from movement restrictions. 'We are also asking the government to exempt livestock operators from movement restrictions. The poultry industry, for example, with around 200 million birds and a total value of over 16 trillion Naira, cannot be demolished', they said.

They further stated that, ‘the animal nutrition and hatchery sector is the rock on which the poultry sub-sector depends. Personnel working in the livestock sector should, after proper identification, be allowed to cross the state border and travel within the state'.

NIAS praised the government for its efforts so far to stem the spread of the virus and reiterated that all members are impressed by the way the government is addressing the Corona virus which has invaded the world community and the country.

'We are particularly concerned with the pace at which it is expanding in our country, Nigeria, since the first index case was notified', they stated.

'We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal government, governments of different states and other relevant agencies for responding and gathering resources, both human and material, to stem the tide so far', the statement read in part.

The institute, in conclusion, affirmed the readiness of their members to be called upon as volunteers when needed in a bid to save the livestock industry during this nationwide lock down and in places where it is being implemented.

NIAS is on a mission to regulate Animal Husbandry practices for increased profitability to all Stakeholders’ and guarantee improved Animal Husbandry and Production Systems that will embrace environmental sustainability and ensure high quality and quantity of animal proteins to Nigerians.