News / National
Donkey abattoir blocked
23 Oct 2017 at 09:39hrs | Views
A donkey abattoir in Kenya. Animal rights groups in Zimbabwe are resisting the opening of the country's first ever donkey abattoir, saying such a venture will wipe out the animals. PHOTO | NMG
THE Government has stopped the donkey abattoir in Umguza amid fears that the meat might be sold locally.
A local company, Battlefront Investments is building a $150 000 donkey abattoir, the first in the country that will have the capacity to dress more than 70 animals a day.
Recently, the company's managing director Mr Gareth Lumsden said their abattoir is set to be completed by end of this month.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for Livestock, Paddy Zhanda had indicated that eating donkey meat is taboo in Zimbabwe and from a Government point of view, they want assurance that the donkey meat would not find its way into the local market.
There has been an outcry from members of the public on the donkey abattoir.
A letter dated 9 October by a Dr J. Nyika who signed off as the Director Veterinary Services is published below in full:
9 October 2017
Provincial Veterinary Officers
Deputy Director (Epidemiology and Diseases Control)
Deputy Director (Veterinary Public Health)
Deputy Director (Laboratory Diagnosis and Research)
I am sure you are all aware of the anxiety, acrimony, havoc and mayhem that has been generated among the Zimbabwean public by the construction of a donkey abattoir in Bulawayo.
You are hereby advised that the said donkey abattoir or any other for that matter, will not be registered to operate in Zimbabwe and that no donkey is ever going to be slaughtered at any abattoir. Officers who have been directly or indirectly involved, in any way, in the construction of the abattoir are hereby ordered to stop their participation forthwith and the abattoir should be closed immediately.
Provincial Veterinary Officers are directed to advise all their field staff NOT to issue movement permits to the abattoir.
I thank you well in advance for complying with the directive.
Dr J. Nyika
Director Veterinary Services.
A local company, Battlefront Investments is building a $150 000 donkey abattoir, the first in the country that will have the capacity to dress more than 70 animals a day.
Recently, the company's managing director Mr Gareth Lumsden said their abattoir is set to be completed by end of this month.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for Livestock, Paddy Zhanda had indicated that eating donkey meat is taboo in Zimbabwe and from a Government point of view, they want assurance that the donkey meat would not find its way into the local market.
There has been an outcry from members of the public on the donkey abattoir.
A letter dated 9 October by a Dr J. Nyika who signed off as the Director Veterinary Services is published below in full:
9 October 2017
Deputy Director (Epidemiology and Diseases Control)
Deputy Director (Veterinary Public Health)
Deputy Director (Laboratory Diagnosis and Research)
I am sure you are all aware of the anxiety, acrimony, havoc and mayhem that has been generated among the Zimbabwean public by the construction of a donkey abattoir in Bulawayo.
You are hereby advised that the said donkey abattoir or any other for that matter, will not be registered to operate in Zimbabwe and that no donkey is ever going to be slaughtered at any abattoir. Officers who have been directly or indirectly involved, in any way, in the construction of the abattoir are hereby ordered to stop their participation forthwith and the abattoir should be closed immediately.
Provincial Veterinary Officers are directed to advise all their field staff NOT to issue movement permits to the abattoir.
I thank you well in advance for complying with the directive.
Dr J. Nyika
Director Veterinary Services.
Source - Byo24News
