MEATCO TO BECOME A CO-OPERATIVE

Commercial and communal farmers will soon have 70% share of ownership in the soon to be established cooperative, while Government will take the remaining 30%. 

This was the announcement made by the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa at a press conference held to announce the final Cabinet Decision regarding the new ownership, operational structure and legal framework of MeatCo.

According to Mutorwa, this resolution was endorsed through Cabinet Decision 9^th/05.06.12/002, which calls for the following:

1.        That Cabinet approve that ownership of MeatCo be shared at 70% for commercial and communal farmers, with Government getting the remaining 30%

2.       The new MeatCo cooperative structure comprise of delegates from the Regional structure

3.       Ownership to be made up of commercial and communal farmers who sell livestock under the support of cooperatives

4.       That benefits of the farmers be derived from sales of their livestock with bonuses, especially for those who sell more to the cooperatives

5.       That Bonuses and dividends be paid to members through cooperatives

6.       That Namibia Meat Company Limited ensures the diversification of meat and meat products

7.       That a strategy for domestic, regional and other international markets is clearly defined

8.       That MAWF and other stakeholders finalise the company bill for the cooperative and the Namibia Meat company Limited bill for onward processing

9.       That MAWF ensures all commercial and communal farmers in all 13 regions are members of the cooperative

10.   That Government veto voting right regarding major decisions taken by the Trading Company be vested in the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.

Going forward, the Minister said that the urgent task at hand now is for the ministry and stakeholders to finalise the Namibia Meat Company Bill for the Cooperative and the Namibia Meat Company Limited Bill as per Cabinet Decision.  He added that until and unless the above task is finalised, the MeatCo Act of 2001 and the State Owned Enterprises Government Act, 2006 and any other relevant and applicable laws will remain legal instruments for the governing of MeatCo.

The press conference was attended by MeatCo, Meatboard and other stakeholders in the Agriculture sector.