08 Mar 2015

The acting Minister of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Ralotsia, has applauded the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) abattoir in Francistown.

In his tour of the facility, recently, Mr Ralotsia said consumers were important in the cattle industry because they determined what they wanted. He said private abattoirs were also welcomed as they will assist BMC to cater for the community in weddings and other ceremonies.

Also, he encouraged the BMC employees to work with the community, noting that farmers should bear in mind that they rear mostly for the BMC market. Mr Ralotsia further said the community had to be educated on the importance of BMC and realise that the abattoir belongs to them.

He talked of the need to observe compliance and application of service standards that would make Botswana to be highly recognised by other countries. BMC plant manager Mr Bosiela Saudu briefed the acting minister on the challenges of the plant.

He said they have a challenge of cattle supply because farmers are not selling to their expectations. Mr Saudu however said they have decided to go out and address farmers as well as group them in order to provide them with transport.

He stated that the BMC plant complies with national, regional and international food safety and quality requirements. Mr Saudu said the plant started operating in 1989 and is able to slaughter 380 cattle per day and has 384 employees. ENDS