Officials and consumers voice concerns as roadside butchers sell meat along Kirkuk-Erbil highway

ERBIL, January 11 — A new trend in selling meat on the side of the main highway connecting Erbil and Kirkuk is alarming consumers and officials due to low prices and unclear origin of the meat.

Individuals have been seen slaughtering animals on the roadside and subsequently offering the meat for sale at prices cheaper than those at local butcher shops.

Halmat Hamza, Director of the Erbil Slaughterhouse, informed 964media that all meat sold in local markets is required to originate from licensed slaughterhouses and be properly sealed. The roadside meat, however, has raised concerns about its origin and suitability for consumption.

Erbil Mayor Nabaz Abdul Hamid has asserted that municipality committees are actively monitoring the situation.  “Anyone found selling meat on the street will face prompt arrest,” he said.