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| Namibia Agriculture Union: http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/ |
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: HAPPINESS OFTEN IS ONLY ONE STEP
OUT OF DISCONTENTMENT – Margot Schuber
In today’s newsletter
·
Measures for the
export of non slaughterable sheep finalised
·
Ministry of
Trade and Industry consults meat industry
·
Trilogue on the
EPA deadline
·
FA and other news
Measures for the export of non slaughterable sheep
finalised
Due to the looming drought situation, the Meat Board
together with role players this week finalised measures for the export of sheep
with regard to non slaughterable sheep or
in case where small stock abattoirs
slaughter full capacity. Non slaughterable sheep are defined as too small
or too lean. The definition for too small are animals for A and AB grades which
are less than 33,5kg live weight or the equivalent slaughter weight of ± 13kg.
For B and C grades the live weight is 44kg or the equivalent slaughter weight
of ± 16kg. The definition for too lean is a fatness grade of 1 and lower or a
fatness score of 1 with a body conformation score of 2 or less.
In order to prevent bottlenecks, the Meat Board has
entered into agreements with agents to identify animals which comply with the
above criteria.
·
If slaughter allocation cannot be obtained within 21 days
O if 2
abattoirs cannot help a producer within 21 days, such producer can apply for
the export of such animals. These applications can be forwarded to an abattoir
not later than Tuesday at 12:00.
O the
size of the applicant’s farm as well as the carrying capacity and the average
marketing over the past three years will be taken into consideration when
approval will be granted to export a number of sheep. A maximum of 400 sheep
per application will be considered
O producers
who cancel their bookings or do not use their slaughter turns will not qualify
for the exemption of such animals
O producers
who have booked at more than one abattoir (paper bookings) do not qualify for
exemptions
O producers, who bought sheep as from March 1, 2013, other
than for breeding purposes, do not qualify for the exemption
·
Non slaughterable animals (on farms)
O agents can inspect animals on farms and if they are
certified that they comply with the criteria of non slaughterable, these
animals can be exported. The application of individual farmers has to be
supported by the certification of the agent. Such applications have to reach
the Meat Board weekly not later than Tuesdays at 12:00
·
Non slaughterable animals at auctions
O auctions of non slaughterable animals will be arranged
by the Meat Board. Such auctions will be held under the supervision of the
Directorate of Veterinary Services and the Meat Board and the sheep will be
inspected beforehand by agents and certified as non slaughterable
·
Export of breeding stock
O the
export of breeding animals must individually be classed and tagged by the
respective Breeders Associations
·
Commercial pregnant ewes
o commercial pregnant
ewes or commercial ewes with non slaughterable lambs also qualify for export.
Pregnant ewes must be accompanied by a pregnancy certificate
o documents which
must accompany the application for export of breeding stock is a proof of
payment of the sheep and a SA import permit which indicates that such animals
are used for breeding purposes only
·
Handling of
applications
o a Technical
Committee comprising the NAU, NNFU, Abattoirs Association and the Agent
Association will meet weekly on Wednesdays to evaluate the applications and
make recommendations to the Meat Board
Producers are requested to strictly adhere to the
criteria for the export of animals. The Meat Board reserves the right to
inspect animals in transit or at the border at any time and should animals not
qualify, the necessary steps will be taken.
Ministry of Trade and Industry consults meat industry
The Ministry of Trade & Industry this week held a
consultative workshop with the meat industry. In his opening speech the
Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Calle Schlettwein mentioned that this
workshop will be the first of a series inter active actions to consult with the
sector in order to identify obstructions which prevent that the sector grows
optimally.
The agricultural sector, and more specifically the
meat industry, has been identified in NDP4 as a priority sector to encourage
economic growth.
The workshop was held under three headings, namely
i.
Improvement of the red meat value chain
ii.
Improvement of the current and future export markets
and
iii.
Adhering to standards
The workshop agreed that there is room for improvement
in the cooperation between different role players in the red meat value chain.
According to Mr Mecki Schneider, the chairman of the Livestock Producers
Organisation (LPO), the lack of trust between role players plays an important
role in this process. It has been agreed that adjustments have to be made to
regulatory measures in order to promote trade in this industry.
Namibia’s dependency on limited markets also is a
great source of concern for the Ministry of Trade. According to Dr Malan Lindeque,
the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade & Industry, Namibia will
have to urgently diversify to other profitable export markets. All restricting
factors to serve these additional markets will have to be investigated and
addressed urgently.
Role players in the livestock and meat industry have
been requested to make proposals with regard to inter alia the further
processing of local products, the improvement in cooperation between the role
players in the value chain and the addressing of factors which have a
restricting influence on the growth in the sector.
A further consultative workshop will be held within
the next 2 – 3 months during which the different proposals will be discussed.
Trilogue on the EPA deadline
The latest update from Europe is that a trilogue
meeting between the European Commission, the European Council and the European
Parliament took place on 06 March 2013 to determine the deadline for the
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations (commonly referred to as a
proposed amendment to the Market Access Regulation 1528 of 2007).
This trilogue resulted from
an original proposal by the European Commission of 30 September 2011 to
withdraw market access from those African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)
countries that have not taken the necessary steps to ratify their EPAs by 31
December 2013 (effective date 01 January 2014).
On 12 September 2012 the
European Parliament voted to extend the deadline to 01 January 2016. However, on 30 November 2012 the European
Council endorsed the original proposed date of 01 January 2014. Under the Lisbon Treaty all three parties
have to agree on the deadline to be enforced.
If not, a compromise has to be reached through a trilogue.
The outcome of the 06 March
2013 trilogue was a provisional agreement on the deadline as 01 October 2014
with the condition of reconfirmation by the political groups in the European
Parliament, followed by a formal adoption of the date by the Parliament’s
International Trade Committee (INTA) meeting (20 and 21 March 2013) and final
adoption in the Parliament’s plenary during its April session (15 to 18 April
2013).
However, it was decided to
table both the provisional trilogue date (01 October 2014) and the European
Parliament’s original position (01 January 2016) for a vote in the next INTA
meeting. The outcome of this vote will
determine INTA’s official position. This
position will then go to the Parliament’s plenary in April. If the INTA vote is for 01 October 2014, the
case will be closed. If the vote is for 01
January 2016, a reconciliation process will be initiated to find a compromise
with the European Council.
FA and other news
Osire
Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on March 19 at 09:30 at the FA hall. Guest speakers
are Mr Bayorat who will talk about solar, H ViljoenMakelaars who will talk
about insurance for dreaded illnesses and Mr Kurt Kretzschmar. For further
details contact Mrs Dagmar Wilckens, Tel 067 306201,wilckens@iway.na.
Sonop FA is holding a member meeting on
March 19 at 14:00 at the FA hall at Farm Frauenhofen. Further details from
Lizelle Barnard, Tel 062 568106, 081 2342925,sonopboerevereniging@gmail.com.
Kalkfeld
FA is
holding a member meeting on March 20 at 08:30 at Farm Ozongombo of Mr & Mrs
R Kretzschmar. The day will be concluded with a farm sightseeing and social
function. Please RSVP before March 13 to Mrs Elke or Mr Ralf Kretzschmar, Tel
067 290128. For further details contact Mrs S
Friedensdorf, 067 290009, 081 3022896.
Hochfeld FA is holding a member meeting on
March 27 at 15:00 at Farm Eahero of WolfiHorsthemke. Guest speakers are Mr
Kleingünther of NamPower and Mr HenkSteyn of FNB. For further details contact
Mrs van Heerden, Tel 062 549025, hochfeldbv@gmail.com.
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. Registration closes on March 12 and up to now 10 FA’s have
entered already. A further 10 FA’s can still enter. The FA winning team wins an
Isuzu Bakkie and petrol for one year for this Bakkie. 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.
The date of the 2013 Dare to Care Disaster Fund golf day has
been changed from May 24 to Friday, May 31, 2013 and will be
held at the Omeya golf course outside Windhoek. During the past 5 years the
Dare to Care Disaster Fund has paid ± N$120 000 to victims of veld fires,
floods, farm attacks, etc. The costs for the golf day per team of 4 players are
N$3 000 and if they also take a golf cart it will be N$3 500 per team. We also
appeal to farmers to donate prizes for the golf day. For further details and
entry forms contact Erika, Tel 061 237838, evg@agrinamibia.com.na
The following courses are offered:
INDIGENIOUS
GOATS:
27 & 28
March 2013: a course at John Pandeni, Grootfontein. Costs N$150,00. 9 May 2013:
an information day at Namboer, Windhoek from 11:00 – 13:00.
BOER GOATS:
From 19 – 21
June 2013 an information day and Jnr course at Tsumis Agricultural College. 27
June 2013 a breeders’ day at Namboer Windhoek from 09:00 – 13:00. From 23 – 25
July 2013 an information day, jnr&snr course at NLA, Mariental.
VAN ROOY
SHEEP:
From 23 – 24
July 2013 a jnr&snr course at Namboer, Windhoek. Costs N$300.
DAMARA SHEEP:
From 20 – 21
June 2013 a jnr&snr course at Namboer, Windhoek. Costs N$450 (meals
included).
For further details and registration contact Carina Vermeulen - 061-252994 (only mornings) /
e-mail: btgn@mweb.com.na.
A Brangus Promotion Day will
be held on May 25 at 08:30 at the Blaauwberg auction pens at Farm Namatubis.
Speakers are inter alia Dr Martin Ferreira from Virbac, Dr Paul Lubout and Mr
GeroBajorat from DIS Engineering. During the ladies’ program Antoinette de
ChavonnesVrugt will hold a food demonstration. The day is concluded with a
steak braai and dance. For further details contact Magdel Pretorius, Tel 067
313061,magdelp@iway.na.
WEEKLY
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Exchange Rate NAD (09-15 March 2013)
|
|||||
March
|
EURO
|
USD
|
POUND
|
PULA
|
|
Saturday
|
9
|
11.825
|
9.093
|
13.578
|
1.108
|
Sunday
|
10
|
11.812
|
9.083
|
13.560
|
1.106
|
Monday
|
11
|
11.870
|
9.122
|
13.602
|
1.109
|
Tuesday
|
12
|
11.938
|
9.166
|
13.645
|
1.120
|
Wednesday
|
13
|
11.962
|
9.235
|
13.788
|
1.117
|
Thursday
|
14
|
11.920
|
9.184
|
13.816
|
1.112
|
Friday
|
15
|
11.960
|
9.189
|
13.893
|
1.117
|
Saturday to Thursday: 17:00 UTC
(Coordinated Universal Time)
|
|||||
Friday: 08:33 UTC
|
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