QC cracks down on ‘botcha’

To prevent the proliferation of “hot meat” or “botcha” (meat taken from long dead animals) in markets, Quezon City’s veterinary services will strictly implement the registration, licensing and accreditation of meat shops, delivery trucks, butchers and meat handlers in the area.

Quezon City veterinary services chief Dr. Anna Cabel said in a statement that all meat-producing establishments, including slaughterhouses, meat processing, poultry dressing and meat cutting plants as well as cold storage facilities, would now be required to register with the city government and pay a fee of P500 before these are allowed to operate in the area.

The same also goes for meat transportation vehicles who, on top of registering, will have to pay an accreditation fee of P200 annually.

Meat handlers, meat cutting operators, dressers, cutters, vendors, processor dealers and butchers are not exempt either. But aside from registering, meat handlers and butchers will need to pay P200 for a license to ensure that they are fit and qualified for the job.

“All meat handlers and butchers should attend an orientation on personal hygiene and hygienic handling of meat before they will be given their licenses for the job,”

Cabel said.

“Knowing how to carry and cut meat will no longer be the only requirements for the job. Being half-naked and being improperly attired for the job will also be prohibited,” she added.

Cabel further said that the city government would require entry permits for all kinds of meat and carcasses slaughtered outside the area to safeguard consumers against hot meat and botcha from other cities and nearby provinces.