The Gambia Shepherd and Cattle Farmers Organisation over the weekend hold a one-day consultation meeting at Essau in Lower Niumi, North Bank Region.
Speaking at the meeting, the President of the Gambia Shepherd and Cattle Farmers Organisation, Mr. Seedy Dem, stated that the objective of the organisation is to look into the welfare of the cattle.
"We are out to ensure that cattle (cows, sheep, goats) and other small ruminant animals are protected from cattle rustlers," he added.
According to him, they are operating in Western Region, Lower River Region and North Bank Region, and about 320 herds were registered as members of the organisation.
He noted that among the activities they do are tracing lost and stolen cattle, adding that from its inception in 2005 they have recovered more than eighty (80) cattle, of which most of the recovered ones were found slaughtered by local butchers.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the organisation, Mr. Modou Sowe, who is also a student at the Gambia College, revealed that they work hand-in-glove with the police, local authority, livestock personnel and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the organisation achieve its goals.
According to Mr. Sowe, plans were in the offing to expand it countrywide so that the issue of cattle rustling will become a thing of the past.
He called on all and sundry to work with them, and be police officers and to report any suspected stolen cattle to the nearest police station or to the organisation.
The meeting was attended by people from different parts of the regions.