Attempt to End Zimbabwe Meat Crisis

ZIMBABWE - A state abattoir is negotiating with chiefs and traditional leaders in Zimbabwe to encourage rural folks to sell livestock to the company in a desperate attempt to end a worsening shortage of meat in the troubled country.
calendar icon 4 September 2007
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"However, the situation has remained unchanged, and renewed hope now lies in reaching out to communities for livestock,"

The state owned Sunday Mail reported that the Cold Storage Commission (CSC) is negotiating with chiefs to encourage rural folks to sell livestock for slaughter.

But analysts say rural folks, who still believe that cattle is a measure of wealth, are unlikely going to sell for a song.

"CSC's initiative comes as Zimbabwe is facing severe beef shortages. Although the government recently sanctioned the re-licensing of 42 abattoirs, the situation has remained critical with consumers going for weeks without beef.

"Under the arrangement, the abattoirs would slaughter cattle and be sub-contracted to supply beef to butcheries. This raised hopes among many consumers that meat would become readily available.

"However, the situation has remained unchanged, and renewed hope now lies in reaching out to communities for livestock," the paper said.

This comes after Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe ordered prices of goods and services be halved in June.

Source: Fin24

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