Buffalo to go commercial in Namibia

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has announced that intensive commercial farming of buffalos will soon commence in the country. He told Namibian Sun that his ministry is currently in negotiations with the agriculture ministry to release disease-free buffalo from areas north of the red line for this purpose.
Two small disease-free populations exist in the country; one south of the veterinary cordon fence at the Waterberg Plateau Park and one at Tsumkwe at the Nyae Nyae Conservancy.
All other buffalos were eradicated long ago from commercial farmland in the country.
The game-proof cordon fence, stretching across the breadth of northern Namibia, keeps buffalos – as well as all other wildlife and livestock – out of the commercial farming areas of central Namibia. Buffalos are potential carriers of four serious diseases that may be transferred to livestock (foot-and-mouth, brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis and corridor disease), and are thus seen as a threat to the livestock industry.
Although private game reserves and hunting operators have for years attempted to legalise disease-free buffalo introductions on their land, hoping to re-establish former large mammal diversity and improve their tourism and hunting products, the cordon has remained closed.
The stringent controls are stipulated at least in part by European Union beef import regulations, to ensure that only 'clean beef' is imported into Europe.
However, Shifeta said that there is a large population of buffalo north of the veterinary cordon fence - some of which are disease-free and therefore they are working in close collaboration with the agriculture ministry on how they can reintroduce the species on commercial farms.
This announcement has been met with great enthusiasm by the wildlife industry who described it as a step in the right direction for the industry.
Speaking to Namibian Sun, professional hunter Jofie Lamprecht said that the news was fantastic for Namibian wildlife and game farmers and that it will hold huge benefits economically for the country.
Buffalos can fetch millions of dollars when auctioned as was the case with a breeding bull that was sold in South Africa for N$168 million last week.
He also pointed out that Namibia already has the Waterberg and Tsumkwe populations that are disease-free and that it will be something special when game farmers are allowed to breed and hunt these animals.
Lamprecht added that the tourism industry will benefit as it will strengthen Namibia promoting its ‘big five’.
According to him it is unconstitutional that game farmers are not allowed in the first place to own and breed buffalos, adding that this is a natural resource that should be used.
“It is shameful,” he said.
He said that the only problem that is foreseen now is whether the meat industry will allow the commercial farming of buffalos and whether they will fight it.
Shifeta also encouraged commercial farmers to start with mixed farming that also includes game to reduce risks. He particularly referred to the drought which he said if it lasted any longer only game farmers would survive. According to him game would then still be able to be sold for their trophies which would still earn an income for farmers.


ELLANIE SMIT