Meat Board sub-committees meet
The Livestock Producers' Organisation (LPO) is represented on various sub-committees of the Meat Board and these committees met to discuss issues affecting the sector.
The committees are the Livestock Marketing Committee (LMC), the FANMeat Committee and the Animal Health Committee (AHC).
The most important feedback was with regards to the annual farm inspections by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), which forms part of animal disease monitoring.
Due to financial shortages, DVS is reviewing this system.
According to the Namibia Agriculture Union as soon as more detail is available, members will receive proper feedback.
“In short, it comes down to the fact that farms that do not form part of the surveillance zone will only receive farm inspections on an ad hoc basis,” said the union.
This puts emphasis on the importance for producers to submit their Animal Health Declaration (AHD) forms twice a year.
“Failure by producers to do so may lead to the prevention of livestock movement and resulting marketing restrictions.”
The union said that the NamLITS system will automatically identify these farms.
According to the NAU the implementation of the action will be formally backdated from July 2018.
“This means that if a producer has not submitted an AHD form for this period, he may be penalised. AHD information can be entered directly onto the NamLITS system, or the form can be downloaded from the NAMLits system and submitted by a producer at DVS offices.” The union stressed that getting proof of submission is important.
Meanwhile during the Livestock Marketing Committee meeting, the agriculture ministry gave feedback on the drought relief scheme.
This scheme applies from 1 April 1 to 31 December this year. The scheme has five components, of which the following three are implemented, namely the livestock marketing incentive, the emergency grazing support and the transport to and from emergency grazing.
Producers must also note that documentary evidence such as permits, VAT invoices, movement registers need to be carefully kept and handed in, to receive the drought aid.
Regarding the FANMeat scheme, the improvement and effectiveness of this system is being internally examined to ensure that it is reliable and up-to-date to ensure that producers are able to market their animals.
STAFF REPORTER
The committees are the Livestock Marketing Committee (LMC), the FANMeat Committee and the Animal Health Committee (AHC).
The most important feedback was with regards to the annual farm inspections by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), which forms part of animal disease monitoring.
Due to financial shortages, DVS is reviewing this system.
According to the Namibia Agriculture Union as soon as more detail is available, members will receive proper feedback.
“In short, it comes down to the fact that farms that do not form part of the surveillance zone will only receive farm inspections on an ad hoc basis,” said the union.
This puts emphasis on the importance for producers to submit their Animal Health Declaration (AHD) forms twice a year.
“Failure by producers to do so may lead to the prevention of livestock movement and resulting marketing restrictions.”
The union said that the NamLITS system will automatically identify these farms.
According to the NAU the implementation of the action will be formally backdated from July 2018.
“This means that if a producer has not submitted an AHD form for this period, he may be penalised. AHD information can be entered directly onto the NamLITS system, or the form can be downloaded from the NAMLits system and submitted by a producer at DVS offices.” The union stressed that getting proof of submission is important.
Meanwhile during the Livestock Marketing Committee meeting, the agriculture ministry gave feedback on the drought relief scheme.
This scheme applies from 1 April 1 to 31 December this year. The scheme has five components, of which the following three are implemented, namely the livestock marketing incentive, the emergency grazing support and the transport to and from emergency grazing.
Producers must also note that documentary evidence such as permits, VAT invoices, movement registers need to be carefully kept and handed in, to receive the drought aid.
Regarding the FANMeat scheme, the improvement and effectiveness of this system is being internally examined to ensure that it is reliable and up-to-date to ensure that producers are able to market their animals.
STAFF REPORTER
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