Dr Moses Arokoya, President, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), has said that 65 per cent of human diseases in Nigeria are livestock-related.

He made this known at the 61 Annual National Congress/Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NVMA held in Jalingo, Monday.

Dr Arokoya explained that zoonotic diseases were on the increase in Nigeria, adding that 2.7 million lives were globally lost annually due to zoonotic diseases.

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He said that the choice of Taraba for the conference was strategic, noting that a Disease Free Zone (DFZ) was to be established in the Mambilla Plateau in the Sardauna Local Government Area of the state.

He further stated that the eradication of diseases from the Mambilla Plateau would cause the production of large metric tons of fresh meat.

Dr Arokoya said that more DFZs were needed in the country to make livestock production an economic stimulus.

The president further decried the state of abattoirs in Nigeria, adding that poor abattoirs have enhanced microbial resistance, as most Nigerians consume drugs used in the treatment of livestock before they are slaughtered.

He explained that modern abattoirs were needed in the 774 local government areas to address the menace.