MEAT VENDING SPIKES LIVESTOCK THEFT

By Dex

Meat vending has increased as phenomenally as have other commodities in recent times but concerns have spiked over health and an increase in livestock theft.

The mushrooming of a large number of illegal meat vendors and butcheries operating without licences has been correlated to high number of cattle rustlers as well as those who sell meat from cattle or chicken that have died of diseases that might impact on people’s health.

Crime Focus put emphasise on those involved in the meat and livestock industry to religiously adhere to the rules governing the livestock and meat industry as well as procedures when clearing and transporting  livestock from one place to another.

There a lot of indiscipline in the livestock and meat industry which exacerbate the increase in stock theft, with butcheries and abattoirs in most times breach the law.

Some unscrupulous abattoir and butchery operators buy rustled cattle as they are somehow cheaper than those legitimately acquired. But bear in mind that what is cheap is always expensive in that aim to maximize extraordinary profits .

Reports on livestock theft are rising and investigations and intelligence are pointing informal markets as final destinations.  

 Meat vendors and informal markets are fueling up stock theft cases.

Operations and visits to abattoirs and butcheries have to be intensified.

If illegal activities in the meat and livestock industries are not controlled and considered, ethical business practices will be a pipe dream. And in such a situation the public are exposed to health hazards and businesses are affected as there is unfair competition from those who are not registered.

It seems desperate farmers, unscrupulous butchery owners and illegal meat traders have forged a thriving parallel market for meat, some of which is suspected to be contaminated.

But it is no longer a problem for farmers only, as meat from the diseased animals is slowly finding its way into many kitchens around the country through unregistered butcheries and illegal meat vendors.

This practice however jeopardize the health and welfare of citizens across the country.

Those who have opened up meat outlets which are not legit have to comply with the health standards and regulations Food and Food Standard Act as well as adhere to the guidelines of the Stock Theft Prevention Act.