Government Warns Butchers Against Illegal Slaughter Sites

By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok

The Director of Veterinary Services in the State Ministry of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism in Lakes State, Mr. Ruben Makoi Yuol, has urged butchers to refrain from slaughtering animals in unrecognised centres.

“The veterinary services have only one main operational centre for slaughtering inspected animals, located on the PDU to Wulu County road. The malpractices of killing animals in unrecognised centres are unlawful and contribute to the slaughter of stolen cattle, as well as the rapid transmission of animal diseases to humans” Yuol told the Dawn in an exclusive interview.

He said that the public health authorities are fulfilling their responsibilities by disposing of and incinerating found dead animals at distant locations to avoid environmental pollution,

He explained that the directorate has established principles for testing animals intended for slaughter, which include prohibitions on pregnant cows, young heifers, and infected animals, all of which are not permitted to be slaughtered according to veterinary law.

“The State Ministry of Animal Resources is committed to ensuring the quality and safety of livestock and the public population of Lakes State. The only animals allowed for slaughter are those accompanied by a Form 15 receipt from the auction and examined by veterinary services before slaughter. This is to prevent the spread of diseases through meat to humans. Random killings in unknown locations encourage people to slaughter domestic animals such as dogs and donkeys,” Yuol said.

Yuol emphasised that veterinary services permit the sale of meat from animals that have been accidentally injured by vehicles or injured by other cattle and this is only allowed after the owner obtains an emergency injury form from the police, which must then be completed by the Directorate of Veterinary Services.

He said that the meat should be transported to the operational centre for slaughtering. However, meat from animals injured by hyenas, snakes, or other wild animals cannot be sold or consumed.

“While reports of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) transmitted through cattle meat have emerged in Awerial County, our team will investigate and confirm whether this constitutes an outbreak, which will be communicated to the public on Monday through media outlets,” he added.

Yuol confirmed to the Dawn during an interview in his office on Friday that the state authority, led by Governor Rin Tueny Mabor, has stabilised the security situation for the people and their properties.

“This stability has enabled the State Ministry of Animal Resources, Fisheries, and Tourism to commit to the welfare of livestock and promote the health of the civil population across Lakes State”