Poultry and dairy sectors now under Livestock Act
Towards increasing production and value addition
The Meat Board will be renamed the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia to reflect its broader mandate of overseeing and regulating the poultry and dairy sectors.
Namibia has taken a significant step by amending the Meat Industry Act, now known as the Livestock Products Act, to include the poultry and dairy sectors.
According to the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU), this inclusion, effective as from 22 August, signals a pivotal move towards greater regulation, sustainability and self-sufficiency in these vital industries.
The Livestock and Livestock Products Act, which governs cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and their meat products, now extends its reach to cover poultry and dairy.
"This legislative change enables the Meat Board of Namibia to regulate poultry and dairy to ensure that domestic sectors realise growth and therefore contribute to government’s national goal of increasing production and value addition."
New era
In its news update last week, the Meat Board of Namibia said the National Assembly recently approved the Livestock and Livestock Products Bill, which involves amendments to the Meat Act.
"These amendments involve the declaration of chicken, dairy, eggs, hides, and skins as controlled products. All the affected sectors indicated that some input from the Meat Board is expected, whether it be sustainable growth or additional functions."
It added that the funding of the functions in the sectors will be done on a similar basis to that of cattle, sheep, and goats.
"The proposed legislation has yet to be published in the Government Gazette. As soon as this happens, consultations with the respective sectors will begin in earnest."
NAU said the new act repeals the Control of the Import and Dairy Products Substitutes Act.
Regulate and oversee
Additionally, the Meat Board will be renamed the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia to reflect its broader mandate.
"The Meat Board of Namibia, with its proven expertise, will now oversee and regulate these sectors, drawing from its successful management of related industries," the union said.
It added that both the poultry and dairy industries welcomed this move as a significant shift towards self-sufficiency and increased food security.
"Namibia’s commitment to fostering growth through strategic regulations remains unwavering. The government is dedicated to cultivating a thriving agricultural landscape and nurturing opportunities in diverse industries."
According to the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU), this inclusion, effective as from 22 August, signals a pivotal move towards greater regulation, sustainability and self-sufficiency in these vital industries.
The Livestock and Livestock Products Act, which governs cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and their meat products, now extends its reach to cover poultry and dairy.
"This legislative change enables the Meat Board of Namibia to regulate poultry and dairy to ensure that domestic sectors realise growth and therefore contribute to government’s national goal of increasing production and value addition."
New era
In its news update last week, the Meat Board of Namibia said the National Assembly recently approved the Livestock and Livestock Products Bill, which involves amendments to the Meat Act.
"These amendments involve the declaration of chicken, dairy, eggs, hides, and skins as controlled products. All the affected sectors indicated that some input from the Meat Board is expected, whether it be sustainable growth or additional functions."
It added that the funding of the functions in the sectors will be done on a similar basis to that of cattle, sheep, and goats.
"The proposed legislation has yet to be published in the Government Gazette. As soon as this happens, consultations with the respective sectors will begin in earnest."
NAU said the new act repeals the Control of the Import and Dairy Products Substitutes Act.
Regulate and oversee
Additionally, the Meat Board will be renamed the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia to reflect its broader mandate.
"The Meat Board of Namibia, with its proven expertise, will now oversee and regulate these sectors, drawing from its successful management of related industries," the union said.
It added that both the poultry and dairy industries welcomed this move as a significant shift towards self-sufficiency and increased food security.
"Namibia’s commitment to fostering growth through strategic regulations remains unwavering. The government is dedicated to cultivating a thriving agricultural landscape and nurturing opportunities in diverse industries."
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