By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has entered into collaboration with agro-allied operators in the country to enhance the use of safe feeds for animals with a view to safeguarding the health of humans and animals.

Speaking at the Agro Merit Industrial Outreach and Poultry Show in Abeokuta, Director, Veterinary Medicine and Allied and Product (VMAP) NAFDAC Dr. Rametu Momodu, said that safe feed is the assurance of safe food, especially food of animal origin such as eggs, meat, milk, and milk products.

She said the regulation of animal feed stuff is done to assure the production of safe feed.

Momodu who sought more cooperation from the Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN at the national level for effective collaboration towards the development of the industry through efficient regulatory practices,  pointed out that without the collaboration operators would use products they are not supposed to use.

She said: “Products that have not been certified by NAFDAC, so you are not sure of the efficacy, qualify and effectiveness. If they use products properly they would get better birds that are healthier and good for business and for those buying to eat.

“We are an agency of government mandated to regulate veterinary medicine and allied products. We do industrial outreach as part of activities we carry out to bridge the gap between the regulator and the regulated. This show is a great opportunity to enlighten stakeholders on what we do to bring training and information and give them the opportunity to collaborate and cooperate with us” she said. 

Also, Managing Director, Agro Merits Limited, Mr. Sampson Odipe, major importer and distributor of raw materials for the feed and food industry, said that the government has not done well to engage the right people.

 He said that the real sector of the economy who are the manufacturers and the agro sector are neglected while banks keep declaring billions in profits annually.

“Maybe they are giving rebates to the manufacturers but without people like us that will bring in the raw materials, how will they produce? You will go to the banks, and they will tell you they only give single-digit loans to the manufacturers: can they operate without people like us?”

He said that getting raw materials for locally produced animal feed was a huge challenge.