By OLAITAN IDRIS

The number of cows slaughtered daily in Lagos State has dropped to 3,000 from 5,000, the Lagos State Butchers Association has said.

The association?s Patron, Alhaji Bamidele Kazeem, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Kazeem said the number of cows slaughtered daily in Lagos dropped significantly due to the socio-economic challenges in the country.

He said the number of cattle slaughtered per day in the state started dropping from 2015 when the issue of Boko Haram became predominant.

He noted that the development was in line with the happenings in the country ranging from Boko Haram issue to hike in exchange rate.

?This reduction was due to numerous factors which include economic challenges, terror-related activities, and environmental concerns,? he said.

Kazeem expressed concerns that there would be further significant decline in the number of slaughtered cows with the current price of cows in the market.

?Previously, we could purchase a cow for between N400,000 and N500,000, depending on the breed, size, and location, but we now pay between N1.6 million and N1.7 million for a cow,? he said.

He attributed the fall in the demand for beef to economic downturn, inflation, and increase in the cost of living.

?Banditry and farmers/herders conflict have also contributed to the reduction in cattle production, thereby affecting the supply and the number of cows slaughtered in Lagos,?? he said.

He said the decline would negatively affect meat supply in Lagos State.

Kazeem, therefore, urged the state government, butchers and farmers to join hands to address the issue.

?All hands must be on deck to address the issues to create a more sustainable industry,? he said.

The patron, however, described climate and environment as key determinants to growth or retardation in cattle business.

?When the temperature increases, it can lead to heat stress, reducing cattle growth rates, milk production and fertility.

?Veterinary doctors in the Lagos State Health Ministry perform checks to ensure the health and well-being of the cows to prevent any infection,?? Kazeem said. (NAN)

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