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The Oyo State Government is taking steps to sanitise poultry business, recommending standard operating procedure (SOP) for Poultry Processing Farmers to avert zoonotic diseases.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said the move aimed to sanitise poultry business in the state and ensure the safety of lives of the citizenry. He noted that the move would also eradicate zoonotic diseases and quackery in the poultry business and slaughter houses.
Presenting the SOP to the Chairman, Association of Poultry Processor, Oyo State chapter and his members in his office, the commissioner noted that 90 per cent of human diseases were contracted from animals (Zoonotic), hence the need for the state to embark on an aggressive campaign.
The commissioner added that monitoring of the activities of slaughters and those in animals business had also begun; stressing that consumption of healthy poultry products cannot be negotiated.
Olasunkanmi added that the regulations would cover all aspects of poultry processing, from procurement of chicken to slaughtering, as well as transportation and packaging.
The commissioner hinted that all chicken plants and chicken slaughter houses must have been accredited and licensed before the commencement of operations, according to Section 5(1) of the Oyo State Meat law.
The law says: “the controlling authority or any other person wishing to establish a slaughter house shall make application in the prescribed form to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the registration of such slaughter house.”
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Christianah Abioye, said the move was not to put hardship on members of the association, but to help the government to ascertain their data, as this would grant them access to the government’s support.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Association of Poultry Processors, Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Balogun Aboidun commended the state government for its various efforts in eradicating zoonotic disease and the support the poultry association has been received so far. He pledged the union readiness to support the present administration in the state to achieve its vision towards boosting the agricultural sector.
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