The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has reinstated the ban on the impartation and selling of frozen chicken, turkey and catfish.
This was stated in a press statement issued on Tuesday via the agency’s X page, explaining that this ban is to promote local farmers and producers.
Recall that the Poultry Association of Nigeria in 2023 had said the country’s poultry sector was on the verge of imminent collapse following the recent lifting of the restriction policy on foreign exchange required for the imports of frozen chicken.
The Director-General of PAN, Onallo Akpa, and the National President of the association, Sunday Ezeobiora, on behalf of the poultry dealers, had stated that the over N12trillion industry that provided over 20million direct and indirect jobs might collapse.
The NAFDAC statement on Tuesday reads: “NAFDAC has reminded the public of the ban on importing, distributing, or selling frozen chicken, turkey, and catfish, emphasising that none of these activities are allowed.
“This was highlighted during a sensitisation programme at the Kado Fish Market, Abuja.
“The initiative targeted frozen food sellers, reiterating the Federal Government’s policy to promote local farmers and producers.
“Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe, NAFDAC’s FCT Director, urged traders to ensure proper storage of frozen products to maintain safety and quality, stressing the .importance of buying locally produced and NAFDAC-registered goods.
“Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, Chairman of the Abuja Fish and Frozen Food Sellers Association, assured NAFDAC of members’ compliance with the guidelines and urged the Agency to implement enforcement measures fairly.”