Economic Losses Associated With the Slaughter of Pregnant Animals in Jos Abattoir

Abstract

Meat consumption demand is increasing with the growing population; however, livestock foetal wastage in the abattoirs/slaughter slabs in Nigeria is being documented. The trend of slaughtering pregnant animals is against the existing meat edict of 1968 and this accounts for a decrease in livestock production and huge financial losses which invariably affects the livestock economy. Hence, a 5-year retrospective study (2012-2016) was conducted to assess the level of economic implication of foetal wastages in cattle and goats slaughtered in Jos abattoir. The data collected were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, tables, and a graph chart. The total number of cattle and goat slaughtered and their foetuses were reported as documented. A total of 26,242 cattle and 4,612 goats were slaughtered, representing a yearly 5,250 and 922, monthly 437 and 77, and daily15 and 2.6 averages respectively. Out of these a total of 1,346 (4.5%) and 1,044 (22.6%) fetuses were wasted representing a yearly 269 and 209, monthly 22 and 17 and daily0.75 and 0.6for cattle and goats respectively. The economic loss associated with the total foetal wastages for cattle and goats in the present study was estimated at ₦174,980,000 ($571,830.07) and ₦10,044,000 ($328,235.29) respectively. The annual averages of cattle and goat fetal wastage are ₦34,970,000 ($114,281.06) and ₦2,090,000 ($6,830.07) respectively. It is, therefore, necessary to implement the law prohibiting the slaughter of pregnant animals through thorough antemortem inspection which will consequently improve the nation’s livestock economy.