Hodeida: Arrangements for health control of sacrificial animals and protection of livestock are being intensified by the Slaughterhouses Corporation in Hodeida governorate as Eid al-Adha approaches. This initiative aims to prevent the slaughter of female and young livestock and preserve livestock resources, in coordination with relevant authorities.
According to Yemen News Agency, the Corporation has implemented a series of measures to enhance the readiness of official slaughterhouses, train veterinary personnel, and intensify awareness and oversight campaigns. These efforts are part of a pre-planned initiative to protect livestock from depletion and promote awareness of the importance of slaughtering sacrificial animals in accordance with approved health standards.
Hodeida, relying heavily on official slaughterhouses due to the absence of licensed private facilities, places significant responsibility on the Slaughterhouses and Meat Sales Corporation in terms of health control, performance regulation, and service provision to citizens. The expansion of meat markets and the surge in consumer numbers during Eid al-Adha highlight the challenge of slaughtering female and young livestock, necessitating increased measures and community awareness to curb harmful practices.
Abdullah al-Sharif, Director of the Governorate's Slaughterhouses Corporation, stated that the corporation has started a plan that includes training veterinary personnel for animal inspection and preparing central and branch slaughterhouses to accommodate sacrifices from citizens, restaurants, and butchers. An awareness campaign is underway, featuring posters and instructions about sacrificial conditions, permissible age, and slaughterhouse locations and operating hours, all aimed at ensuring safe slaughter practices.
The Corporation has recently completed renovations and maintenance of the city's central slaughterhouse, funded by the Agricultural and Fisheries Projects and Initiatives Financing Unit. This project has enhanced the work environment and improved veterinary services. Plans are also in motion to approve four projects to expand infrastructure, modernize equipment, and increase operational and oversight capacity.
Al-Sharif highlighted the enforcement of the Slaughterhouse Law, which mandates the confiscation of meat from violations, subsequently distributed to prisons, orphanages, and nursing homes. Facilities face fines and closure for repeated violations. He underscored the direct threat posed by the slaughter of female and young livestock to food security and meat quality, with the Corporation having conducted awareness campaigns over the past two years to address these risks.
He noted that a significant percentage of Eid al-Adha sacrifices occur in official slaughterhouses, particularly by organizations and government agencies, thanks to ongoing awareness efforts and coordination, alongside increased demand due to health guarantees provided by these facilities.
Oversight during the Eid season involves field teams operating round-the-clock, three city branches, and directorate representatives to monitor procedures and detect violations. Asaad al-Arami, Deputy Director of the General Corporation for Slaughterhouses and Meat Sales, emphasized the commitment to veterinary inspection before and after slaughter, reinforced during Eid by increased staffing and equipment to ensure meat safety.
Al-Arami called for integrated media and community efforts to promote a culture of organized slaughter and appreciated the support and cooperation of the local authority leadership, which aids in protecting livestock and enhancing food security. The Corporation's arrangements prior to Eid al-Adha underscore its commitment to safety standards and public health protection.