(Friday, 6th August 2010 issue)
Over 100 stakeholders in the livestock industry recently held a one-day consultative meeting with Board Members of the Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA), at Abuko, meant to discuss the present hike in the prices of commodities and shortage of meat in the market.
Addressing participants, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Amadou Sowe, underscored the importance of meat, noting that it's nutritive value for consumers.
He urged butchers and dealers in the livestock industry to uphold the good name of their profession by continuing to provide for their clientele at affordable price, and to also avoid creating the impression that meat is scare in the country.
For her part, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Naffie Barry called on the butchers, particularly to liaise with the officials of the Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA), to discuss their plight instead of engaging in any sit down strike. This, she added, is presently causing unnecessary shortage of meat in the market.
The Director of the Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA), Dr. Dembo Jallow said that they have recently observed a steady decline in the availability of meat and also an increased in the price of a kilo of meat above the stipulated price of D60.00 per meat and borne and D80.00 per kilo of steak.
He described the action as unsatisfactory and not in the interest of the Gambian community, and thus called on all stakeholders to desist from the practice. Jallow assured them of his agency's resolve to study the situation and come up with a price in the future that will favour all in the marketing industry and consumers, in particular.
Speaking on behalf of the butchers, Alhagie Ali Gaye said the stipulated price of D60.00 and D80.00 for the kilo of meat and steak, respectively, could not be adhered to by them because of continuous losses.
For his part, the President of the Livestock Dealers, Kebba Jobe, assured the gathering that they were not involved in any strike, but temporarily halted their business until such a time that the price of cattle would be controlled.
