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Butchers will not sell meat of culled cattle that became infected with brucellosis, says managing director of Wahleys Butcher, Gary Hamnam.
Hamnam echoed sentiments of certain local butchers who have reportedly rejected the State’s plan to sell meat of the infected cattle despite assurance by experts that it is safe.
Veterinarians Dr Robin Achari and Dr Ilagi Fuaga will oversee the slaughter of the animals and ensure that the meats that do make its way to local butchers are not infected.
“The cattle are gutted so no edible portion of the guts, such as the liver, will be sold. All will be incinerated. But the meat would still be fit for consumption and the vets will ensure that the meat is safe before they are sold to the butchers,” said Government Information Officer Josefa Uluilakeba.
He said brucellosis attacks are usually focused on the animal guts and not so much the meat.
But Hamnam is not taking any risk.
“We have been in the meat business for a very long time and people who buy meat want to take home good quality meat. If we start retailing meat from brucellosis infected cattle, what will that say about us being responsible,” he said.
He added that his company does not want to be held liable for spreading the infection to humans.
Meanwhile, 90 infected cows from Wainivesi, Tailevu will be slaughtered today and the meats sold to local butchers.
Since the outbreak of the bacterial disease last month, over 3000 cattle have been tested and more than 300 tested positive.
Government has deployed testing teams to Western Viti Levu and to Vanua Levu in a move to ascertain the extent of the outbreak.
