Abattoirs gear up for big Eid appetite

Abu Dhabi's official abattoir has gone on alert to cater for a sharp increase in demand during Eid Al Fitr this week, and warned of heavy fines against violators of a ban on outdoor slaughtering of animals.

Officials at the Abu Dhabi Municipality's slaughterhouse said work hours had been extended until late night as more than 2,000 sheep and other animals are expected to be handled every day.

"We have the capacity to handle nearly 2,500 head every day and we expect the abattoir to run on full capacity before and during Eid, as demand by consumers usually increases sharply during this period," an official said.

In a fresh notice published in the Arabic language press yesterday, the Municipality asked the public not to slay cattle outside the abattoir for hygienic and environmental reasons, and warned that offenders will have to pay large fines.

Apart from sheep, the fish market is also expected to get busy during Eid and fishermen have already assured the public they would not take advantage of the growing demand by hiking prices.

A statement by the UAE Fishermen Association said large quantities of fish would be available at the market during Eid "at prices which will not constitute a burden on low-income families".

In Dubai, the Markets Section in the Markets and Abattoirs Department of the Municipality is geared up for Eid.

"All our staff will be on duty in the markets from morning on the first day of Eid. We have distributed work into three shifts to keep watch over any unhealthy practices in the markets," said Khalifa Hareb, Head of Markets Section.

"In preparation for Eid, we have opened all the doors of the markets and made available the maximum parking facilities."

The co-operation of the police has been sought to organise all routes to the markets, especially the fruits and vegetable market.

"People come to the fish market and the fruit and vegetable market two days before Eid. So we have prepared everything three days in advance," said Hareb.

"Our inspectors are also keeping a strict vigil on the cattle market to check any violations," he said.

Hareb said the public should go to the Markets and Abattoirs Department offices at the markets in case they need any help or have any complaints about the goods they bought.

However, he said the complaints should be registered on the same day, otherwise it would be difficult to take any action.

Hareb said the Friday Market at Hamriya Market will be open during the Eid holidays.

The Abattoirs Section has also made preparations for the festive season. All the abattoirs under the section are ready to welcome the Eid rush for meat. The section warned the public against patronising unauthorised butchers.