The World Animal Protection has released a report: “Consumer Perceptions on Animal Welfare and Food Safety across East Africa”
One of the findings is that Uganda tops four nations in pork consumption, with figures standing at 65.4%, followed by Zambia (60.5%), Tanzania (59.6%) and Kenya trailed with (50.7%)
The study showed that most people don’t eat pork due to religious reasons, while others perceived the possible health risks associated with its consumption.
Uganda also led the pack in chicken consumption (95.4%) followed by Tanzania (93.5%), Zambia (93.2%) and Kenya (92.6.).
Kenya topped as best fish eaters standing out at (79.4%), Uganda came second at (78.7%), while Tanzania ranked third with (70.8%) and Zambia had 69.1%).
Zambia emerged best among the best beef eaters with figures standing at (85.8%), Tanzania (85.4%), Kenya (84.2%) while Uganda trailed at (82.9%).
When it comes to goat meat, Uganda emerged the best here again ranking at 78.2%, followed by Kenya at 75.7%, Zambia with 71.6% and Tanzania at 67.7%.
Dr. Victor Yamo, the World Animal Protection Campaigns Manager –Animals in Farming, said Animal welfare is inextricably linked with animal health, and human health and welfare.
Yamo said the purpose of the study was to evaluate consumer’s knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices around sourcing and consumption of meat products.
The study also sought to identify the main supermarkets and fast-food restaurants where meats are purchased, and to determine the main types of meats consumed and consumption the various patterns.
Chicken Most consumed
The study conducted in four countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia revealed that chicken (93.1%) still remains the most consumed among the meat products, followed by Beef at (84.3%), Fish (76.0%), Goat (72.0%), Pork (57.3%), Mutton (34.6%) and Rabbit meat (21.0%),
The study targeted consumers within major centers of the four Eastern Africa countries:
1.Kenya, Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa
2.Tanzania, Arusha, Dares-Salaam
3.Uganda, Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja
4.Zambia, Lusaka
Other Countries captured included: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Namibia, Brazil, Mozambique, and Rwanda.
Releasing the findings in Kampala, Dr. Yamo noted that most East Africans have the desire for healthy meals that are chemical-free, majority, as per the study willing to pay more for humanely reared animals and animal products.
“Majority said they were ready to buy more meat and meat products if it is safer, and locally produced and if animals were raised in an environmentally sustainable way that is free of antibiotics,” he said
He said stress and poor welfare in farm animals increase the transmission and virulence of a number of zoonotic diseases.
“Protecting the welfare of farm animals can, therefore, be an important factor in decreasing the spread of disease,” he said.
