Tunisian Vet Offers Tips for Choosing Healthy Eid Sheep

As the Eid al-Adha festival approaches, Souheil Ben Mohamed, an inspector veterinarian with Tunisia's National Authority for Food Safety Security (INSSPA), has issued crucial recommendations for citizens to ensure they purchase healthy sheep. He emphasized the importance of a thorough visual inspection of the animal before making a purchase.

Ben Mohamed advised buyers to look for clear, slightly pinkish eyes, with no discharge from the eyes or nose, as these can indicate underlying health issues. He also stressed the need to examine the sheep's wool for cleanliness and to check for any skin diseases, particularly scabies. Animals exhibiting signs of fatigue, weakness, or lethargy should be avoided, he noted.

Beyond selecting a healthy animal, the veterinarian also provided guidance on ensuring meat quality post-slaughter. He recommended a pre-slaughter water-only diet for 12 to 18 hours, allowing access to water only, to facilitate stomach emptying and improve blood drainage during the process. Additionally, allowing the carcass to bleed for at least five minutes is crucial for better meat preservation. Ben Mohamed also highlighted the importance of using a very sharp knife for a quick and humane slaughter.

Reassuringly, Ben Mohamed stated that the health of the sheep intended for Eid markets across Tunisia is generally "good and excellent." He cited preventive control campaigns conducted by veterinary teams in coordination with regional authorities in areas like Béja, Téboursouk, Zaghouan, and Le Kef as contributing factors to this positive sanitary status.

“

The sanitary situation is good and excellent.