SON berates abattoirs, poultry farms’ operators on standards

Posted: Friday, September 3, 2010

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) yesterday in Abuja said that abattoirs and poultry farms operators in the country were not adhering to standards.
Dr. John Akanya, the Director General of the organisation, said that the development had adversely affected the country’s economy.
He spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting with Poultry/Livestock, Meat, Meat Products and Abattoir Operators in Abuja, where he was represented by Mr John Achuku, the Director of Standards.
“We want to inform the abattoir and poultry farm operators that there are standards, documented for them to safeguard the health of the people and the economy will be the better for it.
“We want to ensure that eggs, chickens and meat are not infected by partnering with you in terms of quality and standards,” he said.
Akanya said that the organisation had developed several products’ standards and code of practice as a way of encouraging the poultry/livestock, meat products and abattoir operators to ensure quality.
Dr Louis Njoku, a Regional Director in the organisation, said the standards included the construction and maintenance of the abattoirs, the environment where the animals were conveyed and slaughtered.
“There are code of hygiene practice like that of the abattoirs, which includes the designs of the poultry farms, such as ventilation and equipment to keep the chickens healthy,” he said.
Mr Idris Mohammed, the Council Secretary, Abuja Municipal Area Council, thanked the organisation for bringing together relevant stakeholders to find lasting solution to the problem of poultry farms and abattoirs.
“Within the municipality, there are many slaughter houses in terrible conditions, the way the meat are conveyed to the markets and the vehicles are in bad shape,” he said.
Mohammed said that with the meeting, the relevant stakeholders would be better educated to disseminate information on standard practice.
Stakeholders at the meeting include FCTA, Kwali Area Council, M.D. Integrated Farms, Sahad Stores Ltd, Amigo Super Market, Ajua Farms, Abaji Area Council, Dargib Farms and Drumstik Ltd, among others.