Lagos Seeks Support for Hygiene in Meat Markets
The Lagos State government has solicited the support and cooperation of market women and men in the state in ensuring the cleanliness of its various meat markets.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal, made the call in Lagos recently when he met with the leaders of the market in the state.
He said the call became imperative in furtherance of the push for a conducive and hygienic environment in the red meat value chain. He urged them to enforce the use of a uniformed hygienic butchers’ table as well as meat crates or boxes to convey beef cuts or chunks to the markets, stressing that the current use of wood butchers’ table and the mode of conveying chunks from the abattoir to the markets was unacceptable hence the reforms in the red meat value chain.
Lawal, who pointed out that a survey undertaken by the Ministry revealed the deplorable state of the meat markets in the state, added that he advocated the need for the market women and men to work closely with the state government in adopting a system that is 21st century compliance in the red meat value chain.
He explained that the meeting was part of the series of engagements with stakeholders whose support and cooperation was crucial towards the effective implementation of the reforms adding that a similar engagement had been done with the Butcher Association in the State.
The Commissioner noted that the objectives of the reforms included the need to improve the red meat value chain so that it meets international standards; to ensure that wholesome and hygienically processed beef is available to the populace and the modernisation of all meat outlets to international standard.
“Lagos wants to redefine the red meat value chain by standardising its slaughtering, processing and marketing in order to ensure that wholesome beef is not only available but that the beefs are traceable as well. “Moving forward, we have grouped the implementation strategies to be used into immediate, intermediate and long term.”