Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly New: 15 February 2013

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: IDEAS HAVE A SHORT SHELF LIFE – THAT’S WHY WE MUST ACT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE

In today’s newsletter

·         PS of Agricutlure talks to industry about EU regulations

·         FA and other news

      Exchange rate: 9-15 February 2013

PS of Agricutlure talks to industry about EU regulations

The fierce debate which the circular of the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) evoked about the implementation of the so-called 40/90 residency of cattle to adhere to the EU market regulations, caused that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry arranged a meeting for all role players on Friday, February 15, 2013. The industry was strongly represented by inter alia representatives from the Agricultural Unions on behalf of the producers, abattoirs, Meat Board, etc. The meeting was also attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade & Industry, Dr Malan Lindeque.

Dr Shoopala, the acting Director of the Directorate Veterinary Services informed the meeting about what is expected with the implementation of the EU regulations as contained in the latest circular of DVS. On their part the industry expressed their concern that it is  practically impossible to implement the latest regulations and that this caused trade with especially cattle to nearly come to a standstill. The throughput at export abattoirs has also been effected negatively and the trade with the European Union has virtually come to a standstill which has a big impact on prices.

The Permanent Secretary requested that a detailed memorandum should be presented to him which inter alia includes the socio-economic impact of the application of these additional regulations and especially the influence thereof on the communal sector as well as the total financial impact which it has or might have on the meat industry. The Ministry of Agriculture will use this information at further negotiations with the interpretation and application of the EU regulations.

The industry also is of the opinion that a separate risk assessment for Namibia should be done as Namibia represents an unique situation. The last foot-and-mouth outbreak in the commercial area was more than 50 years ago and foot-and-mouth outbreaks in for instance Caprivi do not influence the status of the free zone.

NAU acknowledges sponsors

As part of the acknowledgement the NAU gives to its sponsors, the sponsors get the opportunity to introduce their products in the newsletter from time to time. The following article was received by Corporate Guarantee of the Nictus Group as sponsor of the NAU Congress.

Manage your risk effectively with Corporate Guarantee

Corporate Guarantee is part of the Nictus Group which has been doing business in Namibia for over 66 years. We are proud of our heritage and the relationships we have built up with our clients over the years, especially also with the farming community. A Corporate Guarantee policy allows you to insure yourself in a tax efficient manner. Monies paid into the Corporate Guarantee policy stays yours and you are rewarded for good risk management by means of a no claims bonus. The self-insurance policy can be used to save on insurance costs as well as to cover potential losses that are usually too expensive to insure or which other insurers are unwilling to insure.

FA and other news

Summerdown FA is holding a member meeting on February 19 at 15:00 at the FA hall. The theme is “The way forward for Summerdown FA”. For further details contact SunetteBlaauw, Tel 062 561647, welverdiend@iway.na.

Aranos FA is holding a member meeting on February 21 at 16:00. Guest speaker is Dr Thomas Tolmay, the Hardap Veterinary who will talk about vaccination principles and group de-wormers. For further details contact Joleen Mans, Tel 081 228988, kierie@iway.na.

Veldduin FA is holding a Game and Hunting day on February 23 at 08:00 at Farm Duinekraal of Mr Schalk Nel. A venison potjiekos competition, a veld and hunting knowledge race and a ladies program will be held and Mr Uys Prinsloo will talk about the Hunters and Game Conservancy Association. For further details contact Mr Schalk Nel, Tel 067 232321 or Mr Francois Wahl, Tel 081 6759068.

Gamsberg FA is holding a rain dance on March 2 at 18:30 at the FA hall. Entrance is N$120 for members and N$160 for non-members. Please confirm your attendance before February 15 with Stienie van Rooyen, stienie@tgi.na.

Maltahöhe FA is holding a meeting on March 13 at 10:00 at Farm Kachauchab of Mr Christian Otto. Guest speakers are Mr Leonard Eins of Aqua Services who talks about filter systems for farm use and Mrs von Wietersheim of Solsquare who talks about solar. For further details contact Mr Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, 081 2269518, ottojagd@iway.na.

Westelike Khomas FA is holding a meeting on March 13 at 15:00 at the Harmonie hall. For further details contact Amanda Greeff, Tel 064 551565, luanda@iway.na.

The American Mustang taming and special training champions, Mark and Miranda Lyon are offering horsemanship and Western horse riding clinics from April 6 – 22. These clinics are offered at the Kooimasis Ranch, Helmeringhausen. For further details contact Wulf, Tel 081 2628545 or Tommy, juniorizko@hotmail.com. Information is also available on the website www.quarterhorsesnamibia.com and on Facebook www.facebook.com/Ranch.Kooimasis. Information / introduction days are also offered on the following days: on Friday afternoon, March 29 at the Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp, Keetmanshoop. Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Visser, Tel 063 683421. On Saturday afternoon, March 30 at Farm Kameelboom, Stampriet. Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Garbers, Tel 063 272394. On Monday, April 1 at Farm Hochfels, Windhoek. Enquiries can be addressed to Mr Kiekebusch, Tel 061 232625.

The Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on April 12 & 13 at the school grounds of the Elnatan School, Stampriet. Artists who will entertain at the competition are the Sarel du ToitBoereorkes and Thys the Bosveldklong. Further details will be given in due course and can be obtained from Dina Kotze, ruzelle@iway.na.

The Young Farmer farmers day will be held on May 15 & 16 at Farm Nabome, Aranos of Hannes and JomarieVisagie. Further details will be given in due course and can be obtained from HannesVisagie, Tel 081 1249902 or 063 275342, jwv@mweb.com.na.

WEEKLY
Exchange Rate NAD (09-15 February 2013)
	January	EURO	USD	POUND	PULA
Saturday	9	12.068	8.845	13.886	1.101
Sunday	10	12.064	8.845	13.888	1.101
Monday	11	12.079	8.930	14.055	1.112
Tuesday	12	12.014	8.855	13.862	1.107
Wednesday	13	12.042	8.902	13.934	1.107
Thursday	14	11.956	8.935	14.026	1.115
Friday (Feb)	15	11.965	8.916	14.043	1.091
Saturday to Thursday:  17:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Friday:  07:12 UTC