16 Feb 2016

The Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse says he is aware that the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) abattoir in Francistown is facing a problem of low cattle throughput

Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday, he said the problem was compounded by the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) challenges affecting its cattle supply areas on several occasions.

“A modern abattoir needs to operate at above 85 per cent capacity utilisation to be profitable.Since this abattoir was commissioned in 1989, producers in the abattoir catchment zones have been unable to supply more than 60 per cent of its capacity,” he said.

He said going forward they have opted to restructure through retrenchment of some staff members to bring the abattoir to a breakeven operation in 2016, as a viable option.

“It is also expected that the European Union inspection of November2015 will result in listing of the facility this year, which will improve the export market value of its meat products,” he said.Member of Parliament for Francistown East, Mr Buti Billy had asked the minister if he is aware that the Botswana Meat Commission in Francistown has multiple problems and also when these challenges will be resolved. Ends