Winneba, Dec 22, GNA - A Principal Environmental Officer, Muhamadu Abdulai has called on the Government to investigate claims by the Accra Abattoir that it has detected several dangerous diseases in carcases of goats, sheep and cows brought to it for preparation for public consumption.

Mr Abdulai, in charge of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District, expressed the hope that investigations could help the Government to trace livestock farmers, who send diseased animals to the abattoir for slaughtering and steps taken to address health problems farm animals. Mr Abdulai described the Accra Abattoir's claim as very serious and alarming that must be investigated.

"I wonder why such a serious thing should happen at the Abattoir while the Accra Metropolitan Assembly has qualified veterinary doctors to examine animals sent there before they are slaughtered."

Mr Abdulai said if the Management of the Abattoir had thoroughly examined the said disease-infested animals first, the problem of detecting dangerous diseases in their carcases would not have risen. He said a careful study of the claim of the Management of the Abattoir with regards to the sick animals suggested that the Management of the Abattoir wanted to use it as a strategy to prevent consumers from patronizing meat from ordinary butchers.

"If that is your plan to convince the public to patronize the Abattoir then I think it is a wrong strategy because it would not automatically change the minds of the butchers, who have sworn not to patronize the Abattoir.''

Mr Abdulai suggested that Management of the Abattoir should step up their campaign on to convince butchers to send their animals to the Abattoir for dressing.