The Veterinary Services Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has issued an urgent public health warning across the nation regarding unauthorised temporary livestock markets ahead of the upcoming Islamic festival. The department has moved to neutralise the heightened risk of transboundary animal diseases and environmental contamination during the festive peak.

The department emphasised that all trading must align with local government, sanitation, and veterinary laws. Officials noted that an alarming number of makeshift stalls have emerged in various towns and cities without official authorisation, creating severe vulnerabilities in the national food safety chain.

The unregulated nature of these hubs presents multi-dimensional challenges, including traffic gridlock, public safety issues, and the transmission of zoonotic illnesses. Operating under the legal mandate of the Diseases of Animals Act of 1961 (Act 83), the department possesses the full authority to monitor and control activities that jeopardise human and animal welfare.

In an official statement, the regulatory body expressed its deep anxiety over the current trend. “We have observed with concern the increasing proliferation of temporary livestock markets and unauthorised animal sale points in open spaces ahead of the upcoming Islamic festival,” the department stated. 

The address further warned that “the uncontrolled operation of such markets poses significant risks, including the spread of zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases, environmental pollution, public health threats, traffic obstruction, and security concerns.”

Consequently, a strict directive has been issued requiring all festive markets to be completely dismantled immediately after the holiday concludes. Traders have been warned that non-compliance will trigger severe enforcement actions, including the immediate closure of illegal sites, the confiscation of livestock, and statutory legal sanctions. 

To ensure seamless compliance, the department is actively collaborating with regional councils, security agencies, and traditional leaders to protect national sanitation standards.

Source: The Sun News
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