The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) is starting a nationwide inspection/audit exercise of feed business premises. Effective feeds contribute to the production and maintenance of healthy livestock.

Head, Inspectorate Department, Mr. Olufemi Atunbi, said the exercise will start on November 5, in the Northwest zone of the country.

NIAS inspectors have enforcement authority and routinely inspect commercial feed mills and farms involved in the production of feeds.  The requirements include the development and implementation of full hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) plans and prerequisite programmes for feed mills, verified through external third-party audits.

Consequently, the Institute is calling on feed business operators who are yet to formally apply for registration to comply accordingly by forwarding their application with the institute.

The statement warned that feed operators, who failed to register with the institute cannot practice feed business in Nigeria and a contravention of the regulation attracts penalty.

The audit is designed for companies manufacturing feed across the country.

It  stressed the importance of feed safety, adding that  institute is committed to ensuring that organisations  produce not only the highest quality feed, but mitigate the risks in producing feed.

Source: The Nation Online