Kano State is pulling no punches in its bid to modernise livestock trading and meat processing, aiming to boost public health, ensure food safety, and protect livelihoods.
Dr. Aliyu Isah, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, made this known while welcoming the leadership of the Kano State Livestock Traders and Meat Processing Union to his office for a courtesy call.
According to a statement from the Ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Halima Gadanya, Isah said the government is working hand in glove with stakeholders to overhaul the sector, bringing it up to global standards. “The reforms are aimed at promoting fairness, transparency and safety in the sector,” he stressed.
A cornerstone of the shake-up, Isah revealed, is moving away from the old-school haggling over prices to a standardised weighing system. “Animals would be weighed and prices jointly determined by the government and stakeholders to protect the interests of both buyers and sellers,” he explained.
The commissioner also sent a stern warning against unsafe practices, saying the government has zero tolerance for actions that endanger public health and animal welfare.
“Slaughter of pregnant animals and the sale of meat from animals that died before slaughter are illegal, unsafe and harmful to human health,” he declared, promising ramped-up monitoring and enforcement to stamp out such practices.
Isah tied the reforms to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s development agenda, noting that the Ministry was created to safeguard lives and enhance food safety. He reassured traders of ongoing collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and support to nurture modern, safe, and responsible practices throughout Kano’s livestock value chain.
