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| Namibia Agriculture Union: http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/ |
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everything has been done to ensure the accuracy of information, the NAU takes
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this information.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: BE WHAT
YOU WANT TO BE NOT WHAT OTHERS WANT TO SEE
In today’s newsletter –
·
Maintaining the animal health status is the most
important factor for the LPO
·
Regional Seminar on the EU-SADC Economic
Partnership Agreement
·
Regulation
of farmer schemes in Namibia
·
FA and other news
Maintaining the animal health status is the most
important factor for the LPO
The recent Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO)
congress was held on October 9 & 10, 2012 under the theme “Animal health
status for economic growth”. The keynote speaker of the congress, Mr Joseph
Iita, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water &
Forestry welcomed this subject because there is a partnership between the
government and producers to keep and extend the market access. It is important
for the Ministry to maintain and improve the animal health status. In this
regard he mentioned various activities by the Directorate Veterinary Services
(DVS) and also their plan to increase their staff from the current 737 to
approximately 1559 people. The guest speaker, Dr Gideon Brückner, who is a
representative from the International Organisation of Animal Health (OIE),
emphasized that for Namibia to keep its health status “it is critically that
role players take their responsibilities seriously”. He said that role plyers
must not only strongly support their local veterinary services, but also accept
the expectations of the international communities with regard to food security
and traceability. He cautioned that the industry will have to “expect sudden
and unplanned happenings” and will have to accept this and will have to
implement plans. Even though there are big challenges to maintain the animal
health status, the positive sign for Namibia is: the last foot-and-mouth
outbreak was in 1964; Namibia’s veterinary services is one of the best in
Africa; Namibia has an animal identification and traceability system together
with movement permits and the relationship between government and the private
sector is good, to mention a few.
During congress detailed feedback was given about the
different LPO activities, such as inter
alia the conclusion of the rangeland management policy and strategy, the NCA
levy, small stock marketing, the Meatco ownership status as well as the joint
vision of the red meat industry which has been facilitated by the Meat Board.
Two discussion points were accepted, namely the combating
of venereal diseases (Vibriose and Trichomoniase) at cattle as well as to
obtain a legal opinion about the interpretation of the Stock Brand Act and
other relevant legislation with regard to the re-branding of cattle shortly
before marketing.
Mr Rumpf’s 4 year term of office has come to an end Mr
Mecki Schneider succeeds him as the new chairman of the LPO.
Regional Seminar on the EU-SADC Economic Partnership
Agreement
The NAU Executive Manager, Sakkie Coetzee, and the Manager: Research and
Development, Wallie Roux, attended a Regional Seminar on the EU-SADC Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on invitation of the
European Commission (EC). The theme of
the seminar focussed on the role of agriculture in the EPA.
Attendees included invited delegates mostly from private sector
organisations in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa and
Swaziland, as well as officials from governments and the EC.
A wide range of topics were discussed including an update on the EPA
negotiations and the way forward, prospects and opportunities for agriculture
under the EPA, European SPS standards, commodity and private standards,
trademarks and Geographical Indications (GIs), challenges and prospects for
Southern African trade in agricultural and agri-processed products, as well as
tools for assisting exporters to the EU.
The seminar provided an overview of the EPA negotiation process to date
and the challenges ahead to conclude the agreement. The key message was that substantial progress
were made and that the negotiating parties have a mutual understanding of each
other’s positions. Although the shape of
the final outcome is emerging, there remains some technical work to finalise
the negotiations. However, the message
in general was positive for the private sector in that a finalised agreement is
possible in the near future.
Regulation
of farmer schemes in Namibia
The
Electricity Control Board (ECB) is a statutory body established in terms of the
Electricity Act No 4 of 2007 to regulate the electricity supply industry in
Namibia. The core responsibilities of the ECB entails the exercise of control
over the electricity supply industry (ESI) and the regulation of generation,
transmission, distribution, supply, use, import and export of electricity in
Namibia. A core mandate of the ECB is the setting of electricity tariffs.
Due to
a number of reasons, existing electricity licensees do not extend/expand their
network to farms necessitating such farmers to seek alternative manners in
which to obtain electricity. Usually this is done by means of a group of
farmers collectively working together to establish a farmer scheme in order to
ensure the electrification of their farms. There has been a proliferation of
these type of schemes in Namibia. Since farmer schemes are often operated
internally amongst the farmers themselves, they do not focus on such
electricity distribution and supply as their core function (in contract to
other well established electricity distribution utilities).
It has
become apparent to the ECB that the farmer schemes are facing a number of
challenges and the ECB would like to invite tenders to investigate how best
farmer schemes can be aligned with existing industry practices and policies for
the Electricity Supply Industry.
Tender
information and Terms of Reference can be obtained from the Electricity Control
Board offices, 8 Bismarck Str, Windhoek. The full terms of reference are also
available on the ECB website: www.ecb.org.na.
Enquiries can be directed to Ms Damoline Muruko, Tel 061 374300/316, Fax 061
374305. The deadline for tender submission is October 24, 2012 at 16:00.
FA and other news
Omuramba FA is holding a meeting on
October 23 at 15:00 at Kroonster. Guest speaker is a person from Eisab Mining.
For further details contact Christa Engelbrecht, Tel 062 571540, jeng@mweb.com.na.
The Brahman Breeders are hosting a
symposium on October 23 at 14:00 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Show
grounds. The theme is “Breeding for adaptability under Southern African
extensive farming practices”. Guest speakers are Prof Fricke Nester of the Free
State University and Dr Gael Schulz of the Agricultural Research Board,
Pretoria. For further details contact Keep Leper, Tel 081 1240648, kiep.agra@gmail.com.
Bethanie FA together with Helmeringhausen
FA is holding a special meeting to discuss the increased land values. This
meeting will be held on October 24 at 09:00 at the Helmeringhausen Centre. For
further details contact Mrs Ina de Klerk, Tel 063 683521, ina.deklerk@gmail.com.
Keetmanshoop RAU is holding a meeting on
November 1 at 08:00 at Farmers Insurance Brokers. For further details contact
Leehanee Schnitter, Tel 063 223343, 081 4996278, khpslu@gmail.com.
Karibib FA is holding a meeting on November 17 at 17:00 at
Kaltenhausen. For further details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, helmut@hemconamibia.com.na
Kalkfeld FA is holding a meeting on November 15 at 08:30 at Farm
Ombona of Peter and Ortrud Schonecke. For further details contact Mrs
Friedensdorf, Tel 067 290009, kfriedensdorf@iway.na.
Exchange Rate NAD (13-19 October 2012)
|
||||
October
|
EURO
|
USD
|
POUND
|
|
Saturday
|
13
|
11.317
|
8.738
|
14.042
|
Sunday
|
14
|
11.320
|
8.738
|
14.042
|
Monday
|
15
|
11.411
|
8.812
|
14.159
|
Tuesday
|
16
|
11.377
|
8.728
|
14.052
|
Wednesday
|
17
|
11.281
|
8.591
|
13.888
|
Thursday
|
18
|
11.312
|
8.628
|
13.928
|
Friday
|
19
|
11.304
|
8.660
|
13.896
|
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