Taiz:A meeting was convened in the Taiz governorate on Tuesday, led by Deputy Governor for Development Affairs Abdulwasea Al-Shamsi, to explore strategies for reducing the slaughter of female and young livestock.
According to Yemen News Agency, the meeting was attended by Engineer Abdullah Al-Jundi, Head of the Governorate's Agricultural Sector, and other stakeholders. They discussed enhancing coordination among executive offices, security agencies, cooperative associations, and the 'Development Knights' community initiative to safeguard and boost livestock resources while raising public awareness about the significance of preserving local breeds.
The participants reviewed the operational and regulatory obstacles faced by slaughterhouses and meat markets in the governorate. They also examined joint measures to prevent the depletion of the national livestock herd, which is crucial for food security and the local economy. The need for the slaughterhouse administration to intensify field monitoring and conduct regular inspections of butcher shops and meat outlets was emphasized, along with the necessity of taking strict legal action against violators and distributing official circulars and awareness materials to butchers to ensure adherence to existing regulations.
Field monitoring and inspection duties were assigned to the agricultural sector, in collaboration with relevant authorities, security agencies, and anti-smuggling units, to address livestock smuggling. The meeting called for reinforcing the Animal Health Department's role in supervising veterinary personnel across the districts, ensuring thorough veterinary inspections before and after slaughter, and permitting the slaughter of non-productive female livestock only when certified as unsuitable for breeding by veterinary reports.
Participants urged Bunyan Development Foundation and the Agricultural Cooperative Union to increase their awareness-raising efforts, while Fursan al-Tanmiya and local cooperative associations were called upon to guide livestock breeders and rural communities and assist in distributing educational materials. The meeting also highlighted the role of local media in supporting regulatory and field campaigns through dedicated airtime and specialized programs to enhance public awareness.
The need for coordination with security agencies to apprehend violators involved in unauthorized and indiscriminate slaughter, as well as those purchasing or capturing very young livestock, was stressed. Al-Shamsi underscored the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders, ensuring each fulfills their responsibilities under a clear action plan. He affirmed that protecting livestock resources is a strategic priority necessitating strict regulatory oversight and close cooperation between communities and institutions.
