The director general of The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) has called for concerted efforts to curb cattle rustling in the country.

Dr. Demba Jallow made this remark recently during an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer on the sidelines of the handing over ceremony of a newly constructed abattoir for the communities of Barra and Essau in the Lower Niumi District, North Bank Region.

He also stressed the need for livestock dealers to support his Agency in their crusade to eradicate this menace, urging them to desist from buying livestock believed to have been stolen by ‘unscrupulous elements’.

He expressed his delight over the introduction of livestock weighing scales, which he said is expected to commence between the end of May or early June this year. This initiative, he noted, has been advocated by the president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J Jammeh with a view to ensure a just business. Jallow disclosed that they will provide 26 stations with weighing scales countrywide, adding that they expect to provide more weighing scales by next year.

He also disclosed that his Agency has opened and rehabilitated over five abattoirs in different parts of the country. Among the abattoirs they renovated is that of Brikama, which he said was in a poor state. Shifting his comments to some of the challenges facing GLMA, Jallow said the Agency depends on government subvention, and that funds are insufficient to build more abattoirs throughout the country.

While indicating that the cattle tax is being collected by the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) on their behalf, Jallow claimed that since 2010, they have not received any fund from the Authority to enable them plough back the money to the farmers in the form of rehabilitation of watering points, slaughter houses and slabs, abattoirs as well as the purchasing of vaccines and drugs for the farmers. He went on to explain the major functions of an abattoir, saying it is a centralised slaughter centre where animals are slaughtered for human consumption.

He said the abattoir also serves as a centre to ensure that cattle theft is monitored and other malpractices curbed. According to him, any person that wants to slaughter an animal at the abattoirs must produce an authentic document from the Alikalolou (Livestock Movement Permit and the Alikalolou Attestation Form). “For reference purposes, each of the animals slaughtered are recorded in a log book by the livestock personnel who inspects the animal before they are slaughtered,” he added.

The chairman, Board of Directors of GLMA, Dr. Denis Carayol, who also spoke to this reporter, highlighted some of the Agency's achievements over the years, among them the construction of an abattoir for the communities of Barra and Essau.  He also said that they need manpower, and more trained personnel in meat inspection to be posted across the country, amongst others.

He finally urged all stakeholders particularly the butchers to make best use of the abattoirs, while stressing that it is high time backyard slaughtering is eliminated in this country.