Weaner exports defended
The Namibian Agricultural Union has dismissed reports that that the export of weaners to South Africa has a negative impact on the economy.
This follows statements made by agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb that the increasing trend of exporting cattle on the hoof from Namibia is negatively impacting on the availability of livestock for throughput at local abattoirs.
According to the union, the weaner industry allowed an inflow of N$2 billion into the Namibian economy last year and has a very important influence on the rural economy in places such as Gobabis, Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein.
According to statistics of the Meat Board, 60% of all weaners which are marketed are born in communal areas and therefore sales pump a lot of money into the economy in rural areas.
“It is the viewpoint of the union that all three marketing channels, namely an internationally competing export abattoir, abattoirs which are slaughtering for the local market and a market for live export of weaners, are necessary for a sustainable meat industry.”
According to !Naruseb a total of 164 220 cattle were exported in 2016 and this increased to 315 198 cattle exported last year.
He said this situation deepens the triplets of unemployment, poverty and inequality in the country.
“I am conscious that some farmers argue that they export weaners mainly due to the fact that they do not have sufficient grazing to grow weaners to slaughter ready cattle. This challenge is not insurmountable. For instance, government, farmers and the private sector can work together towards the creation of fodder production schemes, feed processing plants and feedlots.”
!Naruseb said that alternatively, some are of the opinion that live exports of weaners happen because there is no local slaughter capacity for weaners.
He said the local market for livestock continues to be viable.
“It should therefore naturally follow that, as patriotic producers of livestock, we should support the development of our local economy, by availing our livestock to the domestic value chains.”
ELLANIE SMIT
This follows statements made by agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb that the increasing trend of exporting cattle on the hoof from Namibia is negatively impacting on the availability of livestock for throughput at local abattoirs.
According to the union, the weaner industry allowed an inflow of N$2 billion into the Namibian economy last year and has a very important influence on the rural economy in places such as Gobabis, Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein.
According to statistics of the Meat Board, 60% of all weaners which are marketed are born in communal areas and therefore sales pump a lot of money into the economy in rural areas.
“It is the viewpoint of the union that all three marketing channels, namely an internationally competing export abattoir, abattoirs which are slaughtering for the local market and a market for live export of weaners, are necessary for a sustainable meat industry.”
According to !Naruseb a total of 164 220 cattle were exported in 2016 and this increased to 315 198 cattle exported last year.
He said this situation deepens the triplets of unemployment, poverty and inequality in the country.
“I am conscious that some farmers argue that they export weaners mainly due to the fact that they do not have sufficient grazing to grow weaners to slaughter ready cattle. This challenge is not insurmountable. For instance, government, farmers and the private sector can work together towards the creation of fodder production schemes, feed processing plants and feedlots.”
!Naruseb said that alternatively, some are of the opinion that live exports of weaners happen because there is no local slaughter capacity for weaners.
He said the local market for livestock continues to be viable.
“It should therefore naturally follow that, as patriotic producers of livestock, we should support the development of our local economy, by availing our livestock to the domestic value chains.”
ELLANIE SMIT
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