Oyo seals 15 veterinary outlets, confiscates goods

The Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, sealed 15 veterinary outlets and confiscated goods worth millions of naira for violating provisions of the state private Veterinary Premises and Veterinary Establishment (Regulation) Law, 2017.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, announced this in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital.

He said the enforcement exercise, carried out by the ministry, followed routine inspections within Ibadan metropolis, revealed that, “The affected outlets were operating without the mandatory registration of their veterinary premises, in clear violation of the law.”

The commissioner, while speaking through the Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, Olaoye Olakunle, said the action was aimed at protecting animal health, ensuring food safety, and safeguarding public health.

Olaleye said, “Under the 2017 law, all veterinary premises and practitioners in the state are required to register with the government annually for proper monitoring and control.

“This is crucial in curbing the spread of zoonotic diseases and eradicating quackery in the sector.”

He, therefore, warned that any practitioner or outlet found in breach of the law would face the full weight of legal sanctions.

The commissioner further emphasised that the enforcement exercise is continuous and will persist until full compliance is achieved across the state.

Olaleye, therefore, urged all private veterinary practitioners to regularize their operations by ensuring that their premises are duly registered with the Ministry, as required by law.

The enforcement team included the Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, John Famoyin; President, Association of Private Veterinary Medical Practitioners, Awoyele Adebayo and other key stakeholders in the veterinary sector.

Source: Punch