The South African strict new import regulations for livestock from Namibia will be simplified for slaughtering cattle and slaughtering sheep to enable trade again, taking into consideration the protection of South Africa’s animal health status.This was decided after a hig-level meeting between representatives of Namibia and South Africa on June 10 in Pretoria.
Dr Gideon Brückner, independent expert about questions regarding the World Health Organisation and the International Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), was the mediator at the meeting.
According to a statement released after the meeting, there will be one standard operational procedure (SOP) for cattle and sheep which are imported with the aim to be slaughtered in South Africa. The SOP will be applicable on animals which will be slaughtered immediately as well as for those who are sent to feed lots. Certain substantial questions in the proposed SOP still require further inputs.
The livestock industry will submit information about minimum structural and management requirements for feed lots and abattoirs to the Department whilst the Department will determine measures for the non-compliance.
The Department will add all inputs into one SOP and hold a meeting before the end of June during which the SOP will be concluded. The consolidated SOP will then be discussed with all provincial Veterinary Services.
Rabies project gets green light
After the NAU has received promises for more than N$1,2 million of the envisaged N$2 million which is needed for the research project to develop an antidote for the rabies epidemic in Namibia, the management of the Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) decided to proceed with the project.
Promises were already received from international donours, NAPHA (Namibia Professional Hunter Association), CANAM (Conservancy Association of Namibia) and Farmers Associations for the funding of the project.
The project will be done at the Waterberg where it will be attempted to develop an oral antidote which is taken by Kudu’s to limit rabies. The aim of the project is –
- To get more information about the epidemiology of rabies in Kudu’s
- To get possible proof of the existence of natural immunity
- To proof that horizontal transfer through direct contact with the virus is possible
- The development of a method or oral vaccination of Kudu’s
Activities which will be done –
(i) The development of a suitable oral vaccine-containing bait
(ii) The administration of an oral vaccine and the comparison of the development of anti-rabies antibodies with intra-muscle injection of the same vaccine on groups of Kudu’s
(iii) Conducting clinical trials of the vaccine through a complete post mortem on all vaccinated Kudu’s
Dr Libertina Amathila, former Deputy Prime Minister, is the patron of the project.
SAADPP: Regional Policy and Agribusiness Conference
SAADPP held a Regional Policy and Agribusiness Conference in Johannesburg on 05 and 06 June 2014. Wallie Roux from the NAU attended the Conference.
SAADPP is a private sector-led partnership platform aimed at identifying and removing barriers to agricultural development, investment and trade in Southern Africa. As such SAADPP was launched under the NBF’s Removing the Barriers in Agricultural trade programme during 2012. The mission of the NBF is to promote sustainable economic and social development in Africa through the private sector as its strategic emphasis.
SAADPP is working towards mobilising and institutionalising regional private sector voice through three stakeholder identified thematic working areas, namely Regional Market Integration, Alternative Funding Streams and Capacity Building. As a private sector-led platform it facilitates direct dialogue between governments, the private sector, donors and other development partners to achieve the CAADP goals. The NBF already launched the SAADPP initiative in three Southern African countries, namely Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. The NBF plans to launch this initiative in other countries in the region.
SAADPP: Southern African Agricultural Development Partnership Platform
NBF: NEPAD Business Foundation
NEPAD: New Partnership for African Development
CAADP: Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Plan
AEA Congress
The 27th annual congress of the Agricultural Employers Association (AEA) will be held on June 17, at 07:30 at the Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Windhoek. For more information and to register, please contact the Principle Officer of the AEA, Danie van Vuuren at Tel 061 237838, lwv-aea@agrinamibia.com.na.
FA and other news
Nauchas FA is holding a meeting on June 14 at 15:00 at Farm Charé. Speakers are Derek Wright, the president of the NAU and Len de Jager. For further details contactLizelle Knipe, Tel 081 2688912, spreetshoogte@iway.na.
Hoërand FA is holding a member meeting on June 17 at 14:00. Guest speaker is Mr Jaco van Zyl of Agrimed. For further details contact Mr Bartie Burger, Tel 063 293330, 081 3792626.
Osire-Waterberg FA is holding a meeting on June 18 at 14:00 at the Osire FA hall. Guest speakers from AgriBank and the Roads Authority will address the meeting. For further details contact Anka Visher, Tel 067 306208,hpvisher@iway.na.
Witvlei FA is holding a general meeting on June 18 at 14:00 at the farmer house at Witvlei. Guest speaker is Maans Dreyer of Aqua Real Estates. Further details from Monica Bouwer, Tel 062 570317,gmbouwer@iway.na.
Helmeringhausen FA is holding a member meeting on June 18 at 10:00 at the FA hall. Further details from Timm Miller, Tel 081 2079974,miller@mtcmobile.com.na.
A cattle information day will be held on June 19 at 09:00 at Farm Neu Otjisauona of Katja, Diethelm, Nikolai and Nicola Metzger. Guest speakers are inter alia Fred Dell, Derek Wright, the president of the NAU, Adv Rukoro of Meatco, Llewelyn Angus and Thys Meyer. For further details contact Diethelm and Katja Metzger, Tel 062 503732,diethelm@kamab-simbra.comor Hennie Kruger, Tel 081 2964280.
The Namibian Afrikanerbees Breeders Association is hosting an information day at the Neudamm farm on June 19 at 09:00. In the afternoon a sightseeing of the animals will be done and the registration fee is N$150 per person. A deposit of N$80 must be paid before June 11 and please register on or before June 11 with Florence Hamman, Tel 0608 00 4708,flhamman@afol.com.na.
The Extension Office of the Ministry of Agriculture is holding a lecture about the marketing of animals. This lecture will be held on June 19 from 17:45 – 20:00 at the Extension office, c/o Luderitz/Fidel Castro Str, Windhoek. The lecture will be held by Norbert Neumann and interested parties can contact the Extension Office, Tel 061 2044112 or Norbert Neumann, Tel 081 2327027, neumann@iway.na.
Maltahöhe FA is holding a member meeting on June 25 at 09:00 at Farm Kachauchab of Mr Christian Otto. Speakers are Dr Diana van Schalkwyk who will talk about profitability of venison production and Letitia du Plessis who will take about estate planning. For further details contact Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, 081 2269518,ottojagd@iway.na.
Epukiro FA is holding a meeting on June 25 at 14:00 at Farm Hippo of Faan Beukes. Guest speaker is Chief Inspector Johan Vermeulen who will talk about theft. For further details contact Cora Jacobs, Tel 081 3010286, cj.jacobs@live.com.
Steinhausen FA is holding a member meeting on June 25 at 09:00 at the FA hall at Farm Steinhausen. For further details contact Mayke Rumpf, Tel 062 561422, combumbi@iway.na.
The Extension Office of the Ministry of Agriculture is holding a lecture about rangeland on June 26 from 18:00 – 20:00 at the Extension office, c/o Luderitz/Fidel Castro Str, Windhoek. The lecture will be done by Leon Lubbe and to register, please contact the Extension office at Tel 061 2044112.
Meatco is holding its Annual General Meeting on June 27 at 09:00 at the Wanderers Sports Club, Windhoek. For further details contact Nico Weck or Cloretha Garises, Tel 061 3216400.
The Grootfontein kuierfees is held on June 27 & 28. Well known artists such as Kurt Darren, Pieter Koen, Ricus Nel and the group Adam will perform. N$300 000 can be won with the lottery. Further details will be available on the website www.kuierfees.com or from Yvonne de Jager, Tel 081 1270830, santatol@iway.na.
Agra ProVision is hosting a breakfast meeting on June 27 from 07:30 – 09:30 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Showgrounds. The theme is “Winter Supplementation” and is officiated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr Joseph Iita. Please register before June 24 with Twaku Kayofa, Tel 061 2909364, twakuk@agra.com.na.
Ariamsvlei FA is hosting its winter festival on June 28. The day starts with a braai competition for adults, a sausage braai for pre-school children and a patty braai for primary school children. There will be chicken catching, kettieskiet, bokdrolspoeg, etc. During the day music will be supplied by Landi Blaauw of Keetmanshoop and in the evening she will perform with Die Broers. For further enquiries contact Tel 081 1474373 of 081 6242619.
The Koës Pan Rally will be held on July 4 & 5 at Koës. On July 4 a 150km off road race is held and on July 5 a mini rally, 1, 4 mile jump, dune climbing, etc. The prize giving will be held each evening at the Koës Hotel. For further details contact Rickus, Tel 081 1280126, rickus@iway.na or Hester, Tel 063 252642, plaashansa@iway.na.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leonardville FA is hosting a farmers 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.