Talisay vet discourages backyard butchering

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City is on its toes all the time.

City veterinarian Santiago Hortel said the meat task force seized last month from the Tabunok public market 60 dressed chickens and goat meat which were not inspected by the city abattoir.

He said all meat should be inspected by the slaughterhouse to make sure these meats are safe for consumption.

Hortel said he had sent letters to owners of roasted pig stalls to remind them that backyard butchering is prohibited.

As alleged, some roasted pig sellers practice backyard butchering.

Hortel said seven of  the 15 lechon stalls now have their pigs slaughtered at the city abattoir.

Talisay City is known for its roasted pigs and an annual festival is held to draw attention to the roasted pig.

He said a national law penalizes meat business owners caught inspection certificates with a fine of P100,000 to P1million and six years to 12 years imprisonment.

But the city’s ordinance on this matter only calls for the confiscation of the meat.

On weekdays, the abattoir slaughters an average of 150 pigs while on Saturdays and Sundays, the count rises to 250.

The customer pays P220 per animal slaughtered. The amount includes other fees for inspection before and after butchering, entrance fee, and holding pen.

Hortel said the abattoir has maintained its double “A” accreditation.

The latest accreditation was given by the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) on April this year.

With the accreditation, it means the meat that is slaughtered at abattoir can be supplied to other places in the country.  (FREEMAN)