Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Kampamba Chewe says authorities in Saudi Arabia have approved three abattoirs located in Southern, Lusaka and Central Provinces where the animals meant for export to their country will be slaughtered.
Speaking in an interview with Lusaka Star, Mrs Chewe said the three abattoirs were selected after they were found to be compatible and were meeting the international requirements.
‘’The abattoirs will be responsible for the slaughter and export of these goats into Saudi Arabia. The point I want to make very clear is that we are not taking live goats but we are taking carcasses because the policy of this government is job creation and value addition,’’ she said.
Ms. Chewe said that government is simply facilitating and ensuring that the trade does not halt at any point and had embarked on a restocking exercise of the animals.
She further added that the 1 million goats would be exported annually and not paramount.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Ministry of Livestock and fisheries says it will soon start to use the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) toll gates as veterinary checkpoints.
Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry and NRFA, Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary David Shamulenge said government had spent 30 Million kwacha to contain the outbreak of the disease caused by the illegal movement of animals.
He added that foot and mouth diseases that recently broke out in Eastern Province had been contained but that the vaccination of animals was still underway.
‘’I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the Zambia National Farmers Union and Zambia Livestock Co-operative Union to sensitise their farmers and members that disease control should start from their farms… I want to warn my members of staff that action will be taken against them for issuing permits fraudulently,’’ he said.
He said 7,400 animals were targeted for vaccination which is still ongoing in Vubwi and Lundazi districts of Eastern province.
He further pointed out that the ban on movements of animals and animal products will only be lifted once the vaccination of infected animals is completed.
Two months over 1000 animals were affected when the Foot and Mouth disease broke out in  Eastern Province.
And NRFA Chief Executive Officer Wallace Mumba said the agency will continue availing toll gates to government wings for the execution of policies to minimise replication of infrastructure.
‘’We are very hopeful that the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries will find our toll gates very useful as you conduct your surveillance and disease control activities’’, he said.
Mr Mumba said using toll gates as veterinary check points is key in the surveillance of controlling animal diseases.