The Cotonou Partnership Agreement is the legal framework for cooperation between the EU and the ACP. The Agreement was signed in June 2000 for a period of 20 years and will expire on 29 February 2020. According to Article 95 of the Agreement the parties have to enter in negotiations on a successor agreement by 31 August 2018.
Notwithstanding the success of this cooperation in the past, the current global context requires changes in the ACP-EU partnership to allow it to cope with new challenges beyond 2020. In this regard the KAS hosted an Expert Roundtable discussion in Cadenabbia, Italy, on June 22 and 23. Wallie Roux from the NAU was invited to deliver a paper on future approaches for the EU and ACP to the economy, trade and resources based on past experiences of the EPA negotiating process. His participation was made possible by KAS.
KAS: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
EU: European Union
ACP: African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
NAU: Namibia Agricultural Union
EPA: Economic Partnership Agreement
CTA was established in 1983 between the ACP and the EU. Since 2000 CTA operated within the framework of the Cotonou Agreement with a mission to strengthen policy and institutional capacity development and information management capacities of ACP agricultural and rural development organisations.
CTA’s focus is on three main areas; the first being multi-stakeholder policy formulation and implementation of issues such as food security, the impact of climate change on agriculture and regional trade. The next is efficient agricultural value chains to maximize the inclusion of smallholder farmers. The third is information, communication and knowledge management for agricultural and rural development.
Regarding the latter, CTA is publishing and disseminating a weekly e-newsletter, Agritrade. An Agritrade editorial planning meeting took place in Wageningen in the Netherlands on 24 and 25 June 2014 for consensus on new strategies regarding the future of the newsletter. Wallie Roux of the NAU was invited to attend the meeting as ACP representative due to contributions made and usage of the newsletter. During the meeting he inter alia ensured the continued coverage of livestock as a topic. His attendance was made possible by CTA.
CTA: Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
ACP: African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
EU: European Union
NAU: Namibia Agricultural Union
FA and other news
Steinhausen FA is hosting a Meatco farmer’s day on July 12 at 08:00 at Farm Steinhausen. For further details contact Mayke Rumpf, Tel 062 561422, combumbi@iway.na or Morné du Plessis, Tel 081 2854065, ModuPlessis@meatco.com.na. For further details click here- http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/index.php?module=TimeIt&func=event&id=787
The Bonsmara breeders are hosting a farmer’s day on July 17 at 14:00 at the Agra auction pens at Otjiwarongo. A three-course dinner with a free of charge wine tasting with Schalk Burger Snr of Wellington is offered. Meal tickets are N$180 per person and are available from Hella Coetzee, Tel 062 518079.
Okahandja FA is holding a member meeting on July 22 at 14:00 at Farm Okampuiro of Nico and Celeste Tromp. The day is concluded with a steak braai. For further details contact Rudi Scheidt, Tel 081 2086961, okahandjabv@gmail.conm.
Karibib FA is holding a meeting on July 26 at 16:00 at Farm Abbabis of Mr H Gladis. For further details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, Doris.Gladis@elvey.co.za.
The Santa Gertrudis Breeders Association of Namibia is offering a two day beginner and junior judging course on July 29 & 30 at Farm Ongangasemba of Immo, Almut and Henner Wilkens and on Farm Bergweiher of Andre & Maxie Boehmcker. The course is offered by Martin Seyffardt and costs N$500 per person. Please register before July 15 with Maxi Boehmcker, Tel 081 2688939, 081 8947424, namibiasantagertrudis@gmail.com of moringa@iway.na.
Karasberge FA is hosting its annual Winter School on August 6 at 07:00 at the FA hall. Guest speakers are inter alia Pieter Hugo, Dawie Roodt, Gerrit van Zyl, Piet du Toit and Susan Coetzer. A Women’s program is also offered. For further details contact Amelia van Rooyen, Tel 063 280677, javan rooyen@iway.na or Retief von Wielligh, Tel 063 280801,retiefenrika@mtcmobile.com.
A breed promotion day is held on August 14 at 15:00 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Show Grounds by the Bonsmara Breeders Association. Speakers are Dr Joggie Briedenhann, Mr Johan Mouton of Molatek and Mr Martiens Aveling. The day is concluded with a Steak braai which cost N$50 per person. Please register at nambons@iway.na and further information can be obtained at the Breeders office, Tel 061 222753.
The Grootfontein Harvest Festival is held on August 16 at 10:00 at Farm Ghaub of Mr André Compion. Opening speaker is Mr Theo de Jager, vice president of AgriSA. Tiaan, the well-known cook of Kokkedore and Sarah Theron are also performing and music is made by Just Jack. For further details contact Willem Enslin, Tel 067 240084, 081 2305078 or Ms Phellazie Simon, Tel 067 242968, 081 12223308, willemiens@iway.na.
The Afrikanerbees Breeders are offering a grading course on August 19 & 20. On August 19 it will be held at the Omatjenne Research Station near Otjiwarongo and on August 20 at Farm Offer of Fam Mouton. The course starts at 09:00 and the costs are N$500 per person. A deposit of N$300 has to be paid by August 11 and registrations must be sent by August 11 to Florence Hamman, Tel 060 8004708, flhamman@afol.com.na. You can also sent a sms to 081 2312010.
Leonardville FA is hosting a farmer’s day on August 23. André Havenga will make the music during the day and evening. Target shooting, various demonstrations, etc will be offered during the day. For any further enquiries contact 063 273336 / 062 581010 /0813132305.
The Outjo Kunene Regional Show will be held at Sophienhof from September 12 -13, 2014. For further details contact Danie, Tel 081 2557554 or Carina, Tel 081 1249011.
The slaughtering oxen competition is again held at the 2014 Windhoek Show and halter domesticated oxen can be entered at livestock@wssnam.org. Any commercial farmer can enter and the prize money is sponsored by Feedmaster. For further information contact Hennie Kruger, Tel 061 224748, simnamibia@gmail.com.