FG warns that substandard veterinary drugs threaten livestock productivity and public health, urging coordinated regulation and improved quality control

The Federal Government has raised concerns over the persistent circulation of substandard and falsified veterinary drugs, highlighting weak regulatory oversight and uncoordinated import practices.

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Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, made the remarks on Friday during a National Stakeholders’ Round-table on veterinary medicine quality and regulation in Abuja.

Mukhtar noted that inadequate monitoring of local manufacturing and distribution channels had allowed ineffective veterinary products to enter the market, causing treatment failures, economic losses, and preventable livestock deaths.

“Our cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry provide essential protein for the population and contribute significantly to rural economies and national GDP,” he said.

“The livestock industry is a critical pillar of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda, supporting income, nutrition, employment, and overall livelihood security.”

The minister also cited misuse and unsupervised administration of antimicrobials as a key driver of resistance, warning that resistant pathogens “do not respect the boundary between animals and humans.”

He described veterinary drug quality assurance as not only a regulatory obligation but also a national security and public health priority.

Mukhtar urged stakeholders to propose practical solutions to strengthen regulation, enhance licensing and distribution systems, and expand post-market surveillance to combat counterfeit products.

He also called for increased awareness among livestock owners, many of whom depend on informal vendors due to limited access to qualified veterinary professionals.

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He concluded by reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to establish a transparent, accountable system ensuring farmers have access to safe, affordable, and effective veterinary medicines.