NYNCC WARNS ON REPERCUSSIONS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

By Kenson McCloud 

The National Youth Network on Climate Change( NYNCC) has cried foul over livestock cruelty which puts the country at risk of sanctions and losing out on global markets.

The sentiments have been made on Tuesday in Lilongwe during a media training Cage Free Campaign which is being funded by Open Wing Alliance.

According to Communications and Advocacy Coordinator for NYNCC, Clement Makuwa, livestock farmers have to be engaged on the need to improve the welfare of livestock in order to comply with international standards.

“Currently there is an international campaign that is trying to remove any chicken product that is being produced through cages,” said Makuwa. 

Makuwa observed that there is information gap on animal welfare and legal frameworks that exist to protect animals.

Makuwa said NYNCC is set to engage different stakeholders including young farmers to promote livestock welfare to increase the chances of exporting livestock products.

” We want to train 30 young people across the country to be animal welfare champions. These young people will be engaging the masses and fellow young people on animal welfare.”

On his part, Director of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Julius Chulu said government is currently implementing the National Livestock Development Policy which was launched in 2022 with the aim of providing guidelines for the protection of livestock.

Currently, livestock production contributes 11% to the National Gross Domestic Product and about 36% to total value of agricultural products.