January 12, 2009
Philippine government clamps down on black market meat trade
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is cracking down on slaughterhouses that cull animals out of the government's health control system.
The meat is freely sold by butchers in the wet markets.
Animals slaughtered in licensed abattoirs are subject for carcass and offal inspection while animals slaughtered on farms and brought to the city for sale are not subjected to any controls.
A new task force has been set up and any person found selling unlawful meat, can face a heavy fine plus 6 months in prison.
