Niger govt probes use of harmful fattening drugs on livestock

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna.

The Niger state government has concluded plans to set up a committee to check the use of dangerous fattening drugs used on animals by meat sellers in the state with the view to checking the harmful trend.
The State Commissioner of Livestock and Fishery Alhaji Zakeri Bawa disclosed at the state post Executive Council’s press briefing in Minna saying that some of the drugs are harmful to human beings if the meat of the animals are consumed.
Bawa however, raised alarm over the malpractices in the state, called for government concern.
He said that about 800 sheep’s and 500 chickens are being consumed in the state and the effect of the drugs on human being is alarming.
He emphasized that the findings of the government indicated that even those who sell meat at abattoirs sometimes use the drugs to increase the size of the meat being sold.
He stated that specific laboratory result has not shown how harmful it is if such meats are consumed.