Female cattle slaughter and foetal wastage: A case study of the Lafenwa abattoir, Ogun state, Nigeria

Abstract

In developing countries, indiscriminate slaughtering of pregnant ruminants and consequent foetal wastage (FW) are persistent practices, which have impacted the agricultural and economic advancement of such countries. Retrospective data from 2008 to 2016 of a municipal slaughterhouse in Ogun state, Nigeria was assessed for the current patterns of female cattle (FC) slaughter and FW. A total of 353,503 (mean/year: 29,457 ± 1651) FC were slaughtered, and 44,713 (12.65%; mean/year: 3,726 ± 584) FW estimated over a period of 9 years. There were significant yearly variations in throughput of FC and FW (p < 0.0001), and a strong and positive correlation between FC and FW (r = 0.74, p = 0.006). We report a significant increase in FC slaughter and FW. Action plans such as awareness programs among livestock stakeholders, review on slaughter reforms, enforcement of policies that encourage realistic and positive attitude geared towards sustainable livestock practices, animal welfare, food security, and prohibition of pregnant animal slaughtering are required.