The Agricultural value chain was declared an essential service through a Proclamation gazetted on Saturday, 28 March 2020. Following consultations with its line Ministries, namely, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land reform and the Ministry Public Enterprises. Meatco’s Management, reconsidered the re-opening date of its abattoir, following various scenario mappings that ensure that robust measures are in place to safeguard staff safety and balancing the performance of the economy while operating during the Lockdown period.

In view of the aforementioned declaration of agriculture as an essential service, Meatco reciprocally re-considered its initial decision to suspend slaughter for 21-days which is aimed at mitigating potential risks across the business.  As a result, our abattoir will be opening for normal business on Monday, 06 April 2020, and not on 20 April 2020 as per our earlier communiqué.

Producers are requested to take note that all our activities, in view of the business being listed as an essential service, will continue as normal on the above mentioned dates subject to Covid-19 safety measures.

For the time being, Meatco Management is underway implementing a number of safety procedures and realigning the business in order to conduct business efficiently while at the same time mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Amongst these safety procedures is the safety of our Staff and adherence to “Strick Lockdown Protocols” both of which are considered critical to personnel and the public health. 

Therefore, slaughtering will resume on Wednesday, 8 April 2020 and will be maintained subject to any directives and laws that may be passed from time to time by the Government.

All producers affected by these arrangements will be contacted within the next two days regarding slaughtering and including the re-allocation of their slaughter dates.

For further information producers are advised to contact Meatco’s Livestock Procurement Staff and Technical Advisors (TA’s).