WITH a second consignment of 3000 live cattle from Namibian export agents ready to be shipped from Walvis Bay to Mauritius within days, various concerns emerged that are now being addressed as warning lights flashed about damage to the Namibian value-added policy of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndeithwah.
The Namibian exporters were already informed by the Minister of Agriculture, me. Inge Zaamwani, of the government’s position on the export of cattle on the hoof and that in the medium term, the exporters rather trade in processed meat products than live animals.
In a new twist it is confirmed that the second ship with 3000 cattle will be the last bulk ship as the Mauritian importers will revert back to the ships with a capacity of 1000 cattle.
It is still not clear how many shipments of 3000 cattle will leave Namibia every 40 days, but there is a general consensus that the levels are not sustainable and will undermine and damage the Namibian meat processing industry and will undermine the local value-added policy of the Government aimed at employment creation and increased national income. Uncontrolled live exports of heavier cattle might lead to an abattoir crisis. There is also a fear that a subsidised cattle price from Mauritius with the strength of the US dollar, might force auction prices downwards as the beef is bought mostly from private sales.
The worst kept secret is that the President, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndeitwah, is expecting answers and explanations on how her policy of value addition and the improvement of agriculture is flagrantly ignored. Little details are known and the Mauritian exports caught most role players of Namibia’s highly internationally respected meat industry off guard.
What was described as a “once- off” transaction of Namibian livestock (cattle) exports by ship to Mauritius was the “first consignment” of a demand of 3000 cattle every 40 days that cannot be supplied by South Africa, because of FMD border restrictions.
Namibia is the only country that is free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and massive national campaigns are underway to prevent the spreading of this highly contagious disease.
Namibia is further the only country on the African Continent that can export meat to China, the USA, European Union, Norway and now Mauritius due to its excellent health record and quality assurance of its livestock.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Meatco are jointly spearheading efforts to ensure that the Namibian beef brand and supply of quality meat to its existing abattoirs, is not under threat after a series of miscommunications and mixed signals about levies on weights of heavier exported cattle on the hoof, signalled warning signs through the whole value chain.
The Livestock and producers Board (previously Meatboard) confirmed that the 1% levy to the Board on the Mauritius cattle was paid and all regulatory requirements were met.
However, the mixed signals on the 30% levy to ensure that cattle above 450kg are available for the export abattoirs indicated that it was not in place for at least the first consignment.
Similarly, the Minister of Agriculture, me. Inge Zaamwani confirmed that all relevant permits as required by law for cattle movement and exports were issued by the DVS for the private transaction involving Mauritian exports, but had mainly to do with health requirements as the export levies are the responsibility of Namra.
However the export of such quantity of cattle monthly will definitely affect the meat processing locally. She revealed that the exporters were informed about the government position on export of cattle on the hoof and that in the medium term the exporters should rather trade in meat products than live animals. The Mauritius buyers indicated their willingness to do so provided they buy from Halaal certified meat processors. In this regard, Namibia has two such facilities.
The Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra), Mr Sam Shivute said there is no export levy applicable as there was a moratorium during the 2017 drought in order to speed up cattle exports due to the pressure on grazing during the drought.
In spite of requests that the moratorium should be lifted and a new levy be instituted to protect the Namibian abattoirs and ensure value addition through quality input, it was not reacted on by the then minister of Agriculture, Calle Schlettwein, and the then Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
“However NAMRA will now make sure that Namibia benefits from any future exports of prime live cattle and urgent discussions are underway on the highest level in this regard.
We must ensure that dues to Namibia are paid and that the local industry is protected and encouraged, and in line with the President’s mantra that value must be added to ALL Namibian products.”
The Acting CEO of the LLPB, Mr Goliath Tujendapi, is especially concerned that an inevitable lack of cattle to satisfy the high demand of Chinese, European, American and Norwegian markets through Meatco, Savannah Meat, Beefcor and the newly established state of the art Rehoboth abattoir might be compromised in future and on Thursday, he already had a meeting with the buyers to clarify any uncertainties.
The intended future developments of feedlots in all regions of Namibia might also be impacted, because of the failure to enforce the 30% levy on cattle above 450 kg and a failure to react on recommendations from the Meatboard and the beef industry since 2017 to reduce the weight of cattle under the 30 percent export regime to 340kg.
The President of the Namibia Agricultural Union, Mr Thinus Pretorius, said the organised agricultural sector is also locked in discussions to ensure that the cattle industry does not face obstacles in future as a result of the new Mauritius market, because Namibia will not be able to deliver the amounts of cattle over a long term without risking harming itself.
Meatco CEO, Ambassador Albertus Aochamub, echoed his concern and said clarity must be found as a matter of urgency as a recovering Meatco might face challenges if control and measures are not clear.
Photos: Contributed
