LAGOS CLAMPS DOWN ON ILLEGAL ABATTOIRS,CATTLE MARKETS IN IKORODU,BADAGRY.

                No fewer than 24 butchers and cattle traders have been arrested for offences bordering on illegal operations in a clamp-down exercise carried out over the weekend against illegal abattoirs,slaughter slabs and cattle markets by the Lagos State Government.Speaking with newsmen after the exercise,the Commissioner for Agriculture,Mr Oluwatoyin Suarau explained that the exercise was carried out in Ikorodu and Badagry areas of the State by the Monitoring,Enforcement and Compliance Unit on Abattoirs and Slaughter Slabs,Stray Animals,Meat and Live Cattle Transportation and Regulation of Veterinary Premises.
The Commissioner stressed the need for periodic monitoring,enforcement and compliance in the red meat value chain business,adding that the effort will help prevent the spread of diseases,promote data collection for planning,promote good animal welfare and make Lagos a safe place for all inhabitants by discouraging environmental pollution and health hazards.While reiterating that the State Government has declared zero tolerance on illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs,illegal transportation of meat and cattles,unregistered veterinary premises and stray animals,Suara noted that government will continue to close don abattoirs and slaughter slabs that are not established in compliance with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the State.
 The Commissioner maintained that the State Monitoring,Enforcement and Compliance Unit has the responsibility of monitoring the whole process of meat handling right from the Animal Markets to the Abattoirs including meat and cattle transportation,noting that government has handled significantly the transportation aspect the chain by introducing the 'Eko Refrigerated Meat Van' which is now being used to transport meat rather than the former obnoxious meat transportation methods.
According to him ''Government has also provided designated vehicles called ''METROLIVE' for the movement of live cattles in order to eradicate the old method of cattle trekking or transporting of live cattle with unapproved vehicles on Lagos roads which is now prohibited''.