Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly News:21 September 2012

Namibia Agriculture Union: http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/

Disclaimer: Although everything has been done to ensure the accuracy of information, the NAU takes no responsibility for actions or losses that might occur due to the usage of this information.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: IF YOU COMBINE, FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE, YOU CAN RAISE POSITIVE CHILDREN IN A NEGATIVE WORLD – ZigZiglar

In today’s newsletter –

·         Visit to the Director of Forestry

·         EU Ambassador and NAU had lunch

·         Identification of pigs

·         Namibia Breweries offers support to farmers with veld fire damage

·         FA and other news

Visit to the Director of Forestry

Mr Sakkie Coetzee and Mr Danie van Vuuren from the NAU had a meeting with the Director of Forestry, Mr Joseph Hailwa on Thursday September 20, 2012 to mainly discuss the current veld fire problem in the country. One of the problems which was discussed was the inaccessibility of resettled farms during veld fires. Mr Hailwa undertook to try and see whether he can assist resettled farmers within his budget to open their border lines and make them accessible.

Mr Hailwa mentioned that the new Regulations to the Forestry Act are in a final stage at the state legal advisors before they can be published in the Government Gazette. He agreed that the NAU can still negotiate to have certain fire preventative measures included in the Regulations. The fire prevention measures of the charcoal industry will be used as basis for this. The possiblity to annually, from June 1 until January 31,  classify high risk areas as “Fire Management Areas” as provided for in the Forestry Act will be looked at.

Mr Hailwa further mentioned that the newly established “Forestry Council” is awaiting Cabinet’s approval for the S & T for the board members whereafter the first meeting will be held.

EU Ambassador and NAU had lunch

The president of the NAU, Mr Ryno van der Merwe and the Executive Manager, Mr Sakkie Coetzee had a lunch appointment with Ambassador Milani of the European Commission and some of his staff on Thursday, September 21, 2012  at the EU residence. It was an informal lunch during which Mr van der Merwe informed the Ambassador about the state of agriculture in Namibia. During the lunch Mr van der Merwe got the message that during the auction at Keetmanshoop the highest price ever paid for a SWAKARA ram was N$94 000.

Matters which were discussed informally were the extension of the signing of the EPA and the NAU’s viewpoint about this agreement, the EU’s involvement at rural development as well as other important developments in the agricultural sector.With regard to rural development, closer cooperation will take place between die European Union and the NAU and the NAU structures and members might play a bigger role in future.  

Identification of pigs

Section 18 (1) and (2) of the Animal Identification Regulations Gazette No 4217 makes provision for the identification of pigs by means of an approved mark or other device.  The Director of Veterinary Services (Registrar) through this circular is notifying members of the public that as from 16 July 2012, pigs shall have to be identified by means of an ear tattoo not later than seven days after the date of birth or before the animal leaves the establishment where it was born, whichever is sooner.  The ear tattoo shall be the registered brand mark of the owner. Any person, who does not comply with this requirement, will be guilty of an offense.

Thank you

A hearty thank you from Fam Mike Krafft to everybody who helped to extinguish the fire on Ibenstein/Dordabis on September 14 & 15. Again thank you very very much!

FA and other news

The Namibia Scientific Society is hosting a lecture from the Namibian Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) on September 25 at 19:00 at the Scientific Society, 110 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek. The lecture will be held by Maria Diekmann and will be about the 5 & 1 forgotten wild animals in Namibia. These are Cape Griffon Vulture, African Wild Dog, Spotted Rubber Frog, Pangolin, Dwarf Python and Dik Dik. Entry is free of charge and donations are welcome. For further details contact Hilda-Marie Botha at NEWS, Tel 061 306450, Information@NEWS-Namibia.org.

Platveld FA is holding a meeting on September 26 at 14:30 at Farm Onoro of Fam P Labuschagne. Guest speaker is Mr Jaco Hanekom from First National Bank. The day will be concluded with a bring and braai. More details from Mr of Mrs Labuschagne, Tel 067 234418.

Bethanie FA is holding a special meeting on September 27 at 17:00 at the Bethanie Guesthouse. The meeting will mainly discuss prevention of veld fires and what to do if it burns. For further details contact Ina de Klerk, Tel 063 683521, 081 2743860, ina.deklerk@gmail.com.

A Dexter course will be held by Mr Willie Grobler on October 6 at 08:00 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Showgrounds. For further details contact Carina Jansen van Vuuren, Tel 067 312918, orpheus@mweb.com.na.

Westelike Khomas FA is holding a meeting on October 17 at 15:00 at the Harmonie hall. For further details contact Amanda Greef, Tel 064 551565, luanda@iway.na

Karibib FA is holding ameeting on November 17 at 17:00 at Kaltenhausen. For further details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, helmuth@hemconamibia.com.