Butchers’ association urges FG to allow cattle free access into Nigeria

The Nigerian Butchers Association on Monday asked the Federal Government to allow cattle free access into the country, to allow for bountiful availability of meat and meat products in Nigerian markets.

Alhaji Asimiyu Tela, Chairman, Ondo State Chapter of the association, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure.

Tela called on the Federal Government to collaborate with the association to find new ways for cattle to come into the country without any hitches, to enable the butchers to be able to meet the daily needs of their customers.

“If the Federal Government can ensure that cattle are able to come into the country in abundance, as was being done in the past, that will help butchers in the country to be able to satisfy the needs of their customers.

“The cows we have in Nigeria as at now are not enough to meet the demands of our customers and thereby, there are not enough of meat and meat products to meet local consumption,’’ he said.

Tela said that the association adhered strictly to the prescribed sanitary conditions for the handling of cow meat, stressing that erring members who violated such rules were usually sanctioned.

“The executives of our association take compliance with sanitary rules with all seriousness and members found culpable were usually handed over to the law enforcement agencies.

“There are also some punitive measures attached to going against the sanitary rules,’’ he said.

According to him, Veterinary Doctors on daily basis carry out tests on every cow before being slaughtered for sale and consumption by the public.

Tela assured that members of the association would contribute their quota to ensure that peaceful elections were held nationwide, to enable democracy thrive in the country.

He urged the government to revive all moribund industries and firms, adding that, “if the youths are meaningfully engaged, there would be peace and order in the land’’.