CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Veterinarian Office expects vendors this Yuletide Season to sneak into the city meat prepared for food somewhere else.
Yesterday dawn, the Meat Task Force headed by city veterinarian Dr. Santiago Hortel confiscated 25 kilos of meat from a vendor at the Tabunok public market.
Hortel told The Freeman yesterday his office is keeping a tight watch on markets selling meat.
He said his office inspects not only public and satellite markets but also supermarkets and fast food chains to make sure that meat displayed are safe for consumption.
Hortel said animals butchered outside of the abattoir could be hazardous to one’s health.
The abattoir checks animals for diseases before these are slaughtered.
Hortel also said this month the abattoir slaughters an average of 1,250 hogs every week.
Normally, the abattoir averages 1,050 animals weekly.
Hortel expects the number to increase as New Year’s Day approaches.
Owners of animals to be slaughtered pay P220 per head.
The payment incorporates the post mortem fee, anti-mortem fee, slaughter fee, holding fee, and other fees. — (FREEMAN)