The Senate Standing Committee on Interior raised concerns over the sale of donkey meat and the lack of a proper testing system during its meeting chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem.
Deputy Director of Food, Dr. Tahira, briefed the committee that the food department has only 12 technical staff members and no equipment to test meat. She said that in case of suspicion, samples are sent to laboratories, but due to the absence of PCR facilities, the reports are received after a week.
The Minister of State for Interior told the committee that donkey meat is sold at a higher price than regular meat.
Committee member Talal Chaudhry remarked that hotels often launch campaigns against each other. Senator Faisal Subzwari questioned whether there is any system to test carcass meat, to which Dr. Tahira admitted that no such equipment is available.
The committee chairman recommended that the Food Authority should be provided with adequate facilities to ensure safe and quality food for the public.
