Veterinarian Advocates Sanction Against Misuse Of Antibiotics In Poultry

A Veterinarian, Dr John Babalola, has tasked the Nigerian Government with the proper regulation and sanctioning of farmers that misuse antibiotics in poultry farming.

Dr Babalola said erring poultry farmers could only be sanctioned with the government’s input and support.

According to him, “the government must be involved before sanctions can be placed on poultry farmers against the use and misuse of antibiotics in poultry farming.”

“Most governments get themselves involved in every subsector of the economy, but in Nigeria, the case is not so.

“The farmers are, most times, left to fend for themselves, so to sanction anybody for contravening any law is very difficult.” 

Dr Babalola noted the example of the continuous outbreak of Avian influenza due to poor government monitoring.

He said; “For example, in the case of Avian influenza (bird flu), the infected farms are meant to be left vacant for a period of time.

“However, when the infected birds are cleared, the farms continue running without the due procedure.

“But, because the government does not follow up with farms, the farmers continue as usual and then another outbreak occurs.

“To proffer any sanction for erring poultry farmers in antibiotics use, the government must be actively involved.”

He also harped on the need for poultry farmers to collaborate with veterinarians on the appropriate use of medications for their birds.

“What we advice is that the Poultry Association of Nigeria works in synergy with the Veterinary Council of the Nigeria Medical Association, so the farmers can do the right thing.

“So that they can know the adverse effect of not doing the right thing. Most of these poultry farmers do not know the effects of antibiotic misuse on poultry.

“Antibiotics are not particularly bad in poultry, but the misuse of it has negative impacts on the birds and the final consumers,” he said.

NAN/ Mercy Chukwudiebere