Morocco Grapples with Illegal Donkey and Dog Meat Trade, Officials Reveal

Morocco is facing a thorny issue. The issue related to clandestine slaughterhouses trading in donkey and dog meat was at the center of the debates during the question-and-answer session with ministers last Tuesday. According to Abdeslam Lebbar (PI), these slaughterhouses continue to operate in the absence of modern facilities that comply with standards, reports Assabah. He denounced the non-compliance with hygiene measures. Some sell their meat without veterinary control, which is a flagrant violation of the law, the head of the Istiqlal parliamentary group in the 2nd Chamber also denounced.

These meats are "harmful to the health of consumers, as they can be a vector of microbes and parasites, which can affect humans and lower their immunity," he warned, pointing to a failing control mission. The elected official accused senior officials of negligence.

The control of slaughterhouses is a "very difficult task," acknowledged Noureddine Boutayeb, stressing that rural or urban local authorities have shown their limits. "We are providing more financial resources to municipalities to improve the work of slaughterhouses, but in vain," he added. The delegate minister then recommended the creation of new modern slaughterhouses and the strengthening of existing ones. This project will have to be carried out in coordination between the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Agriculture, he continued.

In Morocco, many slaughterhouses are not authorized to carry out their activities. In a press release, the National Order of Veterinarians (ONV) had stated that only 8 red meat slaughterhouses have been approved by the National Office of Food Safety (Onssa). "The majority of slaughter units do not have the minimum required in terms of hygiene and cleanliness," it had specified.