Adopt Modern Meat Haulage System, FG tells Butchers, Meat Sellers

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has given meat dealers in the country an ultimatum of  May 29, 2023 to adhere strictly to modern meat haulage protocols.  

Photo Credit: AgroNews

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, stated this at the national stakeholders’ workshop on meat hygiene and distribution of refrigerated meat vans to Butchers and Meat Sellers Association, in Abuja. 

According to him, come May 29, 2023, it would be an offense for anyone caught transporting meat in contravention of the modern meat haulage protocols. 

The minister expressed concerns over the nation’s meat haulage system, saying it has limited Nigeria’s full participation in trade of most agricultural commodities outside the shores of the country. 

The development, he noted, was to demonstrate the government’s unwavering commitment towards resuscitating the meat haulage system in Nigeria by flagging-off distribution of refrigerated meat vans to butchers and meat sellers to commence the process of modernised meat haulage system in their respective states. 

Furthermore, the minister explained that meat haulage is the act of transporting meat from one location to another, either within the abattoir premises or between abattoirs, adding that presently in Nigeria, meat haulage idea do not conform to global best practices that guarantee safety for transporters, carcasses and consumers. 

Abubakar pointed out that the practice has become undesirable especially where carcasses had to be transported on wheel barrows, open vans, pick-up vans among others, thereby exposing the meat to high level contamination and quality being compromised. 

Speaking earlier, Permanent Secretary (PS), FMARD, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, described meat hygiene as an important aspect of food safety that should not be handled carelessly. 

According to him, apart from the need to sanitise and introduce modern meat haulage systems in line with the international standard,  the operation of the butchers needs to be improved to fully utilise the potential of the meat industry to create sustainable jobs for youths in Nigeria. 

Represented by the Director, Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Dr. Maimuna Habib, Umakhihe stressed that the perishable nature of meat necessitated the need to improve on meat processing, adding that few states and investors had keyed into the roadmap to guarantee delivery of safe and qualitative meat to consumers. 

Also, the PS informed of the ministry’s contribution to the drafting of the National Food Safety and Quality Bill which has passed third reading at the National Assembly. 

In his remarks, the National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Mr. Baba Ngelzarma, commended the minister for the initiative, while calling for urgent training for butchers and meat sellers in the country.