Councillor Deppe warns of Meat Safety Act towards festivities
MIDRAND – Meat obtained from slaughter may not be sold.
Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe has advised residents to adhere to the Meat Safety Act in preparation of the Muslim’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration which will take place today, 22 August.
The Eid-ul-Adha is the celebration of the end of the annual Hajj and commemorates prophet Abraham following God’s command to sacrifice his son. In celebration, the Muslim community will be offering sacrifice.
“I would like to remind residents and those who are not aware of the bylaws, to follow them at the time of the celebration,” said Deppe.
The Meat Safety Act does make provision for exemptions to slaughter for own consumption, cultural or religious purposes. It also states that such meat obtained from slaughter may not be sold to any person.
Procedures to be followed include a written notice to Environmental Health offices 14 days prior the event, animals must not be kept prior to slaughter for more than 12 hours, meat must be handled in a hygienic manner, parts of the animals that are not used must be disposed of as prescribed by the Meat Safety Act and the Animal Protection Act should be complied with during the ritual or slaughtering process.
“If anyone is found guilty of the above, the person would be liable for prosecution and if guilty may have to pay a fine or face imprisonment,” said Deppe.
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