Construction of poultry processing plant at city slaughterhouse urged
THE Association of Broiler Integrators of Negros Occidental (Abino) has urged the City Government of Bacolod to require AVM Bernardo slaughterhouse to put up a poultry processing plant.
Hassel Calda, president of Abino, said the AVM Bernardo slaughterhouse should have a poultry processing plant to accommodate the backyard poultry operators.
The call was made by the group after 317 kilograms of “hot meat” were seized by the operatives of Task Force Botagoy at Villa Lucasan, Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City on Monday, October 24.
Calda said the “hot meat” was owned by one of the backyard poultry operators in the city and it was supposed to be disposed.
However, the city inspectors arrived so they also voluntary turned over the meat for proper disposal, he said.
He also said that until now, AVM Bernardo has no poultry processing facility so the backyard poultry operators have no choice but to build their own mini-poultry dressing plant.
“They have no intention to keep those chickens because it’s no longer fit for human consumption. It’s already for proper disposal,” he added.
The group already had a meeting with the City Legal Office (CLO) and they promised to check the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with AVM Bernardo.
“They should talk to the AVM Bernardo slaughterhouse about their plan for the poultry operators. If they have the facility, the backyard operators will also comply and avail the facility of the slaughterhouse,” Calda said.
He said the owner of the backyard poultry at Villa Lucasan, who requested not to be named, said they are willing to cooperate with the city government to ensure food safety.
“As backyard operator, we are doing our best to correct the process of poultry slaughtering to avoid the contamination of the meat products,” he added.
The operator was given 30 days to comply with the requirements issued by the City Health Office (CHO) so they can also apply for a business permit.
The backyard poultry operator also expressed his gratitude to the administration of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez for hearing their side so they can improve their business operation in the city.
The Provincial Veterinary Office earlier defined “hot meats” as those slaughtered outside an accredited facility while “double dead meats” are dead animals slaughtered and sold in markets.*