ONSSA, consumer groups deny health risks in sheep meat after viral video raises fears

A video circulating online has stirred up controversy about the safety of sheep meat in Morocco. In the video, a livestock farmer warns people not to eat meat from sheep that were sent to slaughterhouses after the recent decision to suspend Eid sacrifice. 

The livestock farmer claims these sheep were given antibiotics that require a two-month waiting period before the meat is safe to eat.

The video quickly spread, making many people question whether the meat available in markets is safe. 

The Moroccan Consumer Protection Association say it’s just a tactic to slow down the drop in livestock prices after the royal decision that redirected more sheep to slaughterhouses, increasing supply and lowering costs.

Morocco’s National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) stepped in to reassure and explain that the country’s livestock is constantly monitored by veterinary professionals and that any medicine given to animals is carefully regulated. 

According to ONSSA, only licensed veterinarians can prescribe antibiotics, and they follow strict rules to make sure they’re used correctly.

ONSSA also made it clear that vaccines, which some people confuse with antibiotics, are used to protect animals from diseases and don’t pose any danger to humans, animals, or the environment. 

ONSSA said that the meat being sold in markets is safe and that people shouldn’t believe everything they see on social media.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Protection Association told Hespress Ar that the farmer behind the video is trying to scare people into avoiding cheaper meat, keeping demand low so prices don’t fall further. 

Abdelkarim Echafii, one of the group’s leaders, told Hespress Ar that the timing is suspicious. 

Echafii pointed out that prices have been dropping since the royal decision, and suddenly there’s talk of a health risk that no one had mentioned before.

Not all livestock farmers agree with the claims in the video. Alaa Echarif Alaassri, a sheep breeder from Ksar El Kebir, says there’s no reason to panic. 

Elaassri said that all sheep in slaughterhouses go through veterinary inspections before being sold. 

The sheep breeder also pointed out that farmers give sheep anti-parasitic treatments before Eid Al-Adha to keep them healthy, and these treatments have a waiting period before the animals can be consumed. 

Elaassri said that all farmers are aware of these rules and follow them.