31 Aug 2014

Ngamiland livestock farmers and butchery operators have been urged to comply with the Control of Livestock Industry Act (36:01) and Livestock and Meat Industries (CAP 36:03) with immediate effect.

Briefing farmers and operators at Maun kgotla recently, North West head of agricultural business promotion, Ms Chibi Sabuta said a task force was formed to address the problem of failure to comply with the meat industry standards.

Ms Sabuta said the task force, which comprised, among others livestock farmers, butchery operators and veterinary officers, followed a stakeholder meeting that was held in Maun in June this year.

Ngamiland Integrated Farmers Association representative, Mr Simon Bojosi said Ngamiland livestock farmers and butchery operators had been contravening the Control of Livestock Act which was in practice since 1941 by other districts.

Mr Bojosi pointed that the common practice that took place in the North West region put farmers on a wrong footing. For instance, he said farmers were responsible for slaughtering their cattle and transporting the meat to the butchery operators who only bought part of the meat.

However, Mr Bojosi said with the implementation of the two meat industry acts, farmers would sell livestock for slaughter at designated slaughter kraals across the district.

“Cattle are not supposed to be slaughtered in the bush or at an unhygienic place deemed not healthy for the meat to be consumed by people,” he said.

Mr Bojosi further indicated that the role of cattle farmers would be to sell livestock to butchery operators or agents.

He added that it would be illegal for farmers to sell meat under the two meat industry acts as people should consume meat slaughtered under clean circumstances as well as inspected.ENDS