The Lagos State government, yesterday, said it had put in place a reform to set standards for the operation of abattoirs in the state.
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Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-operatives, made the disclosure in an interview in Lagos.
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He said that the reform, tagged: 'The Red Meat Industry Reform,' was to ensure that meat processing was done in hygienic conditions.
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He added that "the reform is the state government's response to the problem of illegal abattoirs and preparation of animals in unhygienic conditions.
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"The state government is concerned about the health of residents and the reform seeks to ensure that the meat consumed by the people does not constitute threat to their health."
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The commissioner said a major component of the reform was the prohibition of the practice of trekking cattle from the market to the point of slaughtering.
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Lawal said "when you make animals trek from one point to another, you get them tired and this reduces the meat quality of the animals.
Hygiene is something that must be taken seriously in Nigeria because it is not even regarded right about now.