Cabinet to review sheep marketing
Role players are invited to make submissions to the Cabinet committee on a sheep marketing strategy for local producers.
The joint 'Recommendation on long-term strategy for sheep marketing' will be handed to the Cabinet Committee for Trade and Economic Development within this week. This is according to the agriculture minister, John Mutorwa, who met with the Namibia Agricultural Union during a recent meeting.
The strategy, inter alia, provides for maintaining the 1:1 sheep local slaughter to export ratio and further requests the finance ministry for the speedier processing and payment of VAT.
Various role players will be granted the opportunity to again make presentations to the committee. The final document will thereafter be presented to Cabinet for approval.
Meanwhile, the Meat Board of Namibia says despite reports and actions by border control officers of the customs and excise directorate, the 30% export levy on cattle weighing more than 450kg is still applicable.
The government notice, published on 15 October 2014 by the finance minister imposing this particular levy, has not been recalled despite requests from the Meat Board.
The Meat Board informed the directorate at all border posts regarding the existence of this notice and that it should be applied accordingly.
Furthermore, funds from the Emergency Veterinary Levy Fund held at the Meat Board, have been committed to financially assist with maintaining essential veterinary services.
According to the Meat Board, such essential services entail the maintenance of international border and veterinary cordon fences, the maintenance of the Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS), farm and community inspections and laboratory tests required for the export of meat and livestock.
The assistance is provided in light of the current financial challenges experienced by government and the listed services were earmarked as essential to maintain Namibia's animal health status and export markets, the Meat Board said.
“This assistance, however, would be only a short-term measure, while the livestock and meat industry together with the game, Swakara, hides and skins and diary sectors, must still decide on long-term solutions to secure the certification of Namibian livestock and meat products with integrity,” it said.
STAFF REPORTER
The strategy, inter alia, provides for maintaining the 1:1 sheep local slaughter to export ratio and further requests the finance ministry for the speedier processing and payment of VAT.
Various role players will be granted the opportunity to again make presentations to the committee. The final document will thereafter be presented to Cabinet for approval.
Meanwhile, the Meat Board of Namibia says despite reports and actions by border control officers of the customs and excise directorate, the 30% export levy on cattle weighing more than 450kg is still applicable.
The government notice, published on 15 October 2014 by the finance minister imposing this particular levy, has not been recalled despite requests from the Meat Board.
The Meat Board informed the directorate at all border posts regarding the existence of this notice and that it should be applied accordingly.
Furthermore, funds from the Emergency Veterinary Levy Fund held at the Meat Board, have been committed to financially assist with maintaining essential veterinary services.
According to the Meat Board, such essential services entail the maintenance of international border and veterinary cordon fences, the maintenance of the Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS), farm and community inspections and laboratory tests required for the export of meat and livestock.
The assistance is provided in light of the current financial challenges experienced by government and the listed services were earmarked as essential to maintain Namibia's animal health status and export markets, the Meat Board said.
“This assistance, however, would be only a short-term measure, while the livestock and meat industry together with the game, Swakara, hides and skins and diary sectors, must still decide on long-term solutions to secure the certification of Namibian livestock and meat products with integrity,” it said.
STAFF REPORTER
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