Officials of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries in the South West region have launched a ceaseless fight against clandestine and poor quality meat sold to consumers in the region.The campaign was launched over the weekend at the Buea Town Slaughter House by the Regional Delegate, Dr. Salle Francis in the presence of the Chief of Service of Sanitary Inspection in the Ministry, Dr, Moundjoa Christian.

The campaign came on the heels of a two-day workshop that held in Buea from the 13-14 September bringing together all actors in the meat sector and aimed at sensitising actors on techniques of vertinary and sanitary inspections. According to Dr. Salle Francis, the campaign is to ensure that all meat found in the markets comes from the Abattoirs and slaughter houses and is wholesome for consumption. The ultimate objective of this campaign, Dr. Salle stressed, is to fight against health hazards resulting from consumption of infected meat. Disease such as tuberculosis and snoozes would be prevented from being transmitted from consumption of meat.

To ensure effective control, the meat deemed fit for consumption after inspection by competent MINEPIA officials will be stamped on four areas of each half of the cattle. The Regional Delegate allayed fears on the ink used in the stamping exercise stating that the ink is not poisonous. He warned that any meat found in the market without the official stamp will be considered clandestine and will be seized and those concerned prosecuted according to the laws enforce. He called on the population to collaborate with MINEPIA authorities by reporting any case of unstamped meat being sold to the public.

Speaking to Cameroon Tribune, the President of Mamfe Butchers Association, Aladji Adamou Yaya lauded the organisers of the workshop stating that it will go a long way to improve on the quality of meat they provide to their clients as well as fight against clandestine meat sellers.