Gambia News : Gambia introduces new system for livestock marketing
Jan 28,2010 00:00
by
lamin
The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency, under the department of veterinary services, has outlined plans to introduce fair purchasing and selling prices of animals, PANA reported from here Tuesday.Dr. Demba B. Jallow, the director general of the agency, said the agency's uppermost function was to come up with a price determination mechanism based on the use of weigh scales and bands on animals destined for slaughter.
Jallow said by this, a fair buying and selling price for all players in the marketing chain would be established, adding that livestock owners, dealers and butchers would get their animals' worth and that the consumer would also benefit from fair meat prices.
He noted that the farmers and the consumers were the biggest losers, while the middle men would gain all through.
Pointing out that pricing of animals will be based on weight and that all dealers and butchers will register with the agency, he said this would bring order in the marketing of livestock and sale of meat.
According to him, the new system will be introduced nationwide and the buying of animals based on the physical appearance, weight estimate and interpersonal relationship will be stopped.
Jallow further said the agency would introduce the weigh scale and bands nationwide at designated livestock markets and buying depots and equip the centres with facilities to meet acceptable sanitary standards.
Disclosing that animals will be physically examined to ensure that only healthy animals are bought and slaughtered, he added that the butchers would be trained on all aspects, especially in cutting and packaging and also on personal hygiene.
Jallow noted that this would ensure that at all times, meat was wholesome and fit for consumption and the agency would also be responsible for collecting and managing the cattle tax annually.
He said as a matter of great urgency, the agency would plan ahead for the forth-coming Ramadan and Tobaski feasts.
He promised that they would encourage as many players as possible to venture into this lucrative business and to link dealers with government civil servants to facilitate their acquisition of Tobaski rams conveniently and at affordable prices.