Animal science association trains meat handlers in Edo state

The Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN), Edo chapter, has trained meat handlers on meat products handling, preservation, processing, packaging and storage in Edo state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Stephen Idehenre, said at the one-day training in Benin, that poor handling of meat posed a serious threat to human health and environment.

According to him, it was important for all stakeholders to collaborate through trainings and sensitisation campaigns to address the issues.

“This is just the beginning of more engagements to come. We will continue to talk to meat handlers to prevent any outbreak of disease in the state,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the state chairman of ASAN, Mr Peter Aikhuomobhgbe, said that the unhygienic way meat was being handled by abattoirs and markets traders in the state necessitated the training programme.

He noted that the poor state of the abattoir and unhygienic handling of meat was raising concerns among stakeholders about the attendant health risk.

“As animal scientist, we are worried about the unhealthy environment, transport system and the very poor way people handle meat.

“You will not like to eat meat if you go to our abattoirs. The way meat is transported to the markets is another problem.

“So, the essence of this training is aimed at making meat wholesome,” he said.

He added that, as an association, its role was multi-disciplinary and one of which was to educate the people on how to handle, process, package and store meat.

John Igene, an Emeritus Professor of Research Innovation, Food and Technology, University of Benin, said proper handling of meat was critical for the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.

He noted that poor meat handling and storage procedures would lead to food poisoning, adding that food safety was the only way to secure lives.

“The quality of meat supplied to the general population may be affected by techniques used in handling and preserving the meat.

“In order to properly slaughter and process meat, it is imperative that the rural and urban abattoirs be built with qualified workers,” he said.

He also said that the government needed to enhance public meat inspection, supply standardised facility to maintain a high level of meat sanitation.

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