The Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) has intensified efforts to combat illegal meat trade, warning against the sale and consumption of uninspected meat.
This comes amid growing concern from the Rwanda National Police (RNP) over cattle theft, with criminals increasingly slaughtering stolen livestock for the black market, something police warned should stop.
"Cattle theft is a serious concern that must be addressed,” ACP Boniface Rutikanga, RNP spokesperson said. "Thieves steal cows, often slaughtering them from bushes and selling the meat through legitimate butcheries."
Gaspard Simbarikure, the veterinary hygiene and quarantine specialist at RICA, says to ensure consumer safety, only meat inspected and stamped at registered slaughterhouses is legally permitted for sale.
"A veterinary meat inspection certificate, from which the meat was sourced, is mandatory for all meat sold to consumers," explained Simbarikure. "In addition to this certificate, the inspector checks whether the meat in the butchery bears the meat inspection stamp. This practice is also carried out for meat transporters.”
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In reference to article 28 of the Technical Regulation N˚ DGO/REG/003 of 25/04/2022 governing meat businesses, "only inspected and stamped meat at registered slaughterhouses shall be allowed for human consumption.”
Currently, in collaboration with different institutions and stakeholders such as RNP and local government authorities, according to him, "efforts are being conjugated to strengthen the inspection of butcheries and meat transporters as well as sensitising the general public to buy inspected meat and, whenever necessary, to timely provide information on clandestine slaughter."
Illegal meat trade-related cases are still reported in various parts of the country including Nyabihu, Rubavu, and Rutsiro districts in the Western Province and Musanze in Northern Province as per recent incidents.
On January 8, RICA seized and destroyed a quarter carcass of cattle in Musanze District, fining the operator.
In response, Musanze District has established a committee to deal with illegal meat trade. "The committee conducts inspections to ensure compliance with meat business regulations throughout the value chain," Mayor Claudien Nsengimana said.
According to article 159 of the law Nº 54/2008 of 10/09/2008 determining the prevention and fight against contagious diseases for domestic animals in Rwanda, uninspected meat, including that sourced from stolen livestock, is subject to seizure and destruction.
Penalties for illegal meat trade range from fines of Rwf 100,000 to Rwf 5,000,000 or imprisonment of three months to two years.