27 meat inspectors drawn from all the seven sub-counties in Busia County have received equipment aimed at improving meat hygiene. Among the equipment includes gumboots, aprons, hats, and microscopes. They had earlier received motorbikes and laptops to help in service delivery.
Director of Veterinary Services Dr Alan Ogondo, while delivering the Meat Hygiene equipment on Monday said meat inspection is a devolved function, and there is a need to consume safe, tested meat.
Dr Ogondo said all the meat sold across the County should be obtained from slaughter houses under inspection, adding that meat slaughtered in homes should be discouraged. He said that the County government has availed diagnostic tools for testing meat being consumed.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr Moses Osia said meat hygiene officers will help farmers improve on meat hygiene. He said among other items purchased for the Meat Hygiene Officers includes deep freezers, vaccines, liquid nitrogen and semen.
Dr Osia said the County wants to be self-reliant in meat production and told the farmers to venture into livestock production to reduce cases of importing livestock from neighbouring Uganda.
Chief Officer for Agriculture Richard Achiambo said a shortage of staff is the main challenge facing the department, adding that more staff would be recruited in the near future.