19 Mar 2015

The loss rate of visual ear tags on livestock is insignificant under Botswana’s farming system conditions, says acting Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao.

Responding to a question in Parliament, Mr Molao said ear tags were safe and harmless both health wise to the cattle and consumer of meat, adding that individual animal identification was meant for food safety and disease control.

He said with regard to rustling of cattle, if anybody whether a cattle rustler or unprofessional cattle thief stole cattle that were ear tagged or not, they would be dealt with according to the relevant laws of the country.

MP for Ramotswa, Mr Samuel Rantuana had asked the minister how safe the visual ear tags for livestock were and if the government would own the responsibility if a professional cattle rustler cuts ear tags off a farmer’s cattle and replaces them with his own after stealing the cattle. ENDS