The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has warned the Federal Government against rising imports of beef and other meat products, saying increased foreign competition could weaken Nigeria’s livestock industry and force local producers out of business.
The association expressed concern that Nigerian livestock farmers are being placed in direct competition with producers from countries with more developed livestock industries, creating conditions it believes could threaten the survival of domestic operators.
The group urged the government to consider the consequences of meat importation for agriculture, food security and employment before allowing foreign products to gain a larger share of the Nigerian market. Brandspur Brand News reports that the association wants policies that give domestic livestock businesses a fair opportunity to compete and grow.
According to the association, flooding the Nigerian market with imported meat could do more harm than good to local producers who already face challenges across the livestock value chain.
It argued that the government should instead strengthen conditions for cattle breeders, processors and other businesses involved in domestic meat production.
The association maintained that unrestricted meat imports could undermine investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector, particularly if locally produced beef is forced to compete with products coming from markets with stronger production systems and infrastructure.
Its warning also brings the wider food-security debate into focus. Nigeria’s livestock value chain supports cattle breeders, transporters, meat processors, traders and other businesses whose livelihoods depend on domestic production and distribution.
The group called on the Federal Government to create what it described as a level playing field for participants across the livestock value chain rather than exposing them to what it considers unfair external competition.
While imported meat could increase the range of products available to consumers, Miyetti Allah’s position is that such imports must be managed in a way that does not undermine domestic production capacity.
The association therefore wants the government to reconsider policies that could encourage indiscriminate meat imports and instead prioritise measures capable of strengthening local livestock production and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
