08 Jun 2014

Ministry of Agriculture has been called on to review the Control of Livestock Industry Act to ensure its proper implementation and compliance.

Participants who attended the livestock buyer license consultative workshop in Maun, said the act was outdated and did not address issues of the industry.

The act, they said, was formulated in 1941and that the administration processing of the Livestock Buyer’s License had been transferred from the ministry of local government to that of agriculture with effect from April 1, 2007.

One of the farmers, Mr Gaegatwe Sekeletu raised concern that implementing officers were not doing their work as no action had been taken against law violators because the officers were playing double standards.

“We cannot blame thieves stealing stock because relevant officers are dragging their feet to implement the law,” he added. Mr Sekeletu said at times officers failed to give famers feedback while others also complained of shortage of transport to attend to reports.

Commenting, Hainaveld Farmers Association chairperson, Mr Phillip Wright enquired on why the act took long to be reviewed, despite that it has become irrelevant to the current situations. Farmers, he added were running business at a loss because they were being ripped off by agents who buy and sell cattle to butcheries.

He called on the ministry to re-visit the issue of Livestock Buyers Agent licence, adding that farmers sell cattle at low prices and the market is also unreliable.

Mr Wright said he has observed that farmers do not want to sell their livestock to agents but to butcheries directly.

Ms Mantho Seoseng said according to the Act, agents should buy within the premises and not without the presence of the police, veterinary officers and tribal officials.  

She called on farmers and butchery owners to slaughter cattle at approved slaughter slabs.

Earlier on, the Ngamiland district agricultural coordinator, Mr Obert Mabuthu raised a concern that permits and licences were not issued properly.

Participants resolved to form a task force which will ensure the smooth implementation of the Control of Livestock Industry Act in the region and proper livestock marketing.

The task force will include representatives from farmers associations, butchery owners, livestock agents, bye law officers, agriculture officers and Matimela officers.   ENDS