Livestock producers must think local

LIVESTOCK producers must realise that local value addition to meat had to increase, since it was irresponsible of the meat industry to export live animals across the Namibian border when local abattoirs stood empty or operated below capacity, an industry expert has warned.

Speaking at the annual congress of the Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) which opened yesterday, Job Hengari, chairman of the Meat Board, said Government favoured reduced exports of livestock on the hoof and that trend was “irreversible”. “We must make it work, but the question is how,” Hengari said.”I request the co-operation of the meat producers.By supporting local value addition we carve out a future for this sector of the economy,” Hengari appealed to the mostly commercial farmers present.The Meat Board chairperson admitted that a levy imposed on goat exports to increase local slaughtering and local consumption of goat meat had caused difficulties for local producers.”The producers have problems finding local markets here in Namibia,” Hengari stated.Commercial farmers are worried that levies imposed on live exports of cattle and sheep would reduce access to the lucrative South African markets.”When fewer livestock get exported, we lose that percentage we have for our livestock slaughtered in South African abattoirs,” one farmer told this newspaper.”Other countries are just waiting for the chance to sell their livestock to South Africa.”On the other hand, it was difficult to find export markets for slaughtered carcasses and processed meat.”Government should not impose levies like on weaners and sheep that are sent to South Africa for slaughtering while there are no alternative markets for value-added meat products,” the farmer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.The LPO congress ends today and is followed by the annual meeting of the Namibia Agricultural Union, which turns 60 years old this year.At a gala dinner scheduled for Wednesday night, the NAU will for the first time award a prize to the best black emerging commercial farmer.”We must make it work, but the question is how,” Hengari said.”I request the co-operation of the meat producers.By supporting local value addition we carve out a future for this sector of the economy,” Hengari appealed to the mostly commercial farmers present.The Meat Board chairperson admitted that a levy imposed on goat exports to increase local slaughtering and local consumption of goat meat had caused difficulties for local producers.”The producers have problems finding local markets here in Namibia,” Hengari stated.Commercial farmers are worried that levies imposed on live exports of cattle and sheep would reduce access to the lucrative South African markets.”When fewer livestock get exported, we lose that percentage we have for our livestock slaughtered in South African abattoirs,” one farmer told this newspaper.”Other countries are just waiting for the chance to sell their livestock to South Africa.”On the other hand, it was difficult to find export markets for slaughtered carcasses and processed meat.”Government should not impose levies like on weaners and sheep that are sent to South Africa for slaughtering while there are no alternative markets for value-added meat products,” the farmer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.The LPO congress ends today and is followed by the annual meeting of the Namibia Agricultural Union, which turns 60 years old this year.At a gala dinner scheduled for Wednesday night, the NAU will for the first time award a prize to the best black emerging commercial farmer.