FG gives ultimatum for meat dealers to adopt modern haulage protocols

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

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, it would be an offense for anyone caught transporting meat in contravention of the modern meat haulage protocols.

“The meat haulage system, has limited Nigeria’s full participation in trade of most agricultural commodities outside the shores of the country.

“The development is 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 modernized meat haulage system in their respective states,” he noted.

He 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.

Lucy Offfoboche