The Lagos State Government is to host stakeholders’ engagement on the Red Meat Value Chain as part of efforts to revamp the red meat industry.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
Olusanya said that the engagement would hold on March 3 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
She listed those expected at the event to include members of the Abattoir Concessionaire Forum and Executive Council and Board of Trustees of the Lagos State Butchers’ Association.
According to the official, the others include members of the Lagos State Butchers’ Association from each abattoir and slaughter house.
She said that the engagement had become imperative in order to sensitise stakeholders on the best practices in the production of wholesome meat.
The commissioner said that the engagement would also be to ensure the success of the reforms in the value chain.
“The administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is set to introduce a lot of reforms in the red meat industry in order to facilitate the development of the sector.
“In order to ensure the success of the reforms, there is the need to get the buy-in of all relevant stakeholders.
“This is why the state is hosting Red Meat Value Chain Stakeholders’ Engagement on March 3, during which we would discuss how to successfully carry out this reform in the sector,” the commissioner said.
Olusanya said that the reform centred on the production of wholesome meat beginning from the slaughtering stage until it would get to the plate with good economic returns to the producers and processors.
She said the reform would be under a three-pronged strategy tagged (ATM) – Abattoir, Transportation and Market.
She said that the strategy was to guarantee the safety and health of the populace by ensuring that only certified animals would be slaughtered and wholesome beef made available in the market.
The commissioner said that following the right process would boost international recognition of beef from the state and open up an export portal for foreign exchange.
“The export potential for beef is very huge and tapping into the multi-billion dollar market is very possible if stakeholders can take these reforms seriously.
“The change we desire in our red meat industry can be achieved through our collective efforts.
“The government has its part to play, so do stakeholders and even the consumers; hence, all hands must be on deck to ensure revamp of the sector,” she said. (NAN)
