By:Justicia Shipena
Namibia is making changes to its Meat Industry Act to include dairy and poultry, aiming to strengthen the country’s food production and reduce reliance on imports.
On Wednesday, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein presented the Livestock and Livestock Products Amendment Bill to the National Assembly, contending that by including dairy and poultry within the regulatory framework, the government aims to strengthen industry competitiveness, promote import substitution, and improve the country’s balance of trade.
“Section 23 is expanded to grant power to the Minister to make subsidiary legislation by Regulation or Notice in the gazette to declare products, particularly the products made from dairy or livestock to be deemed as dairy or livestock products in terms of the Bill.”
According to him, the Meat Board of Namibia has the authority to regulate the sub-sectors to the advantage of local producers and consumers because poultry, dairy, and related goods are included in the Livestock and Livestock Goods Bill.
He emphasised that because so many manufacturers are ceasing production as a result of imports into Namibia, the two sub-sectors are on the verge of collapse.
Furthermore, he stated that the Act’s specific inclusion of dairy and poultry products would allow the Meat Board to manage the importation of dairy and dairy products as well as poultry meat and meat products effectively and help it overcome the legal difficulties it has faced in the past.
“This would enable Namibia to develop its dairy and poultry industries through a pro-growth regulatory framework in line with the Namibia Agriculture Policy and Growth at Home Strategy,” the Minister said.
Schlettwein affirmed that the information at hand shows Namibian consumption can sustain the poultry, dairy, and pork industries if these sectors are helped to expand under the assumption that consumer prices are equivalent to those in the SACU region and not at the expense of consumers.
The Control of the Import and Export of Dairy Products and Dairy Product Substitutes Act, 1986 (Act No. 5 of 1986) will be repealed as a result of the legislative reform.
“The inclusion of dairy and dairy related products as well as the poultry and poultry related products that include eggs will greatly assist local producers,” he said.
The Minister indicated that the Meat Board has already demonstrated its ability, know-how and experience.
In the meanwhile, the definition of a dairy product and a dairy product alternative as determined by the Minister is provided in section one of the Act.
“The expansion of the definition of livestock and livestock products to include poultry and poultry products and any other animal or meat products which the Minister may declare as livestock products,” Schletwein said.
He disclosed that in order to change the name of the Meat Board and the range of its responsibilities, sections two and three have been amended.
As a result, according to Schletwein, it is suggested that the Board change its name to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia to reflect its increased purpose, which now includes not only meat products but also livestock and livestock goods such as poultry and products related to it.
“Section four is amended to provide for fewer board members and more specifically for the appointment of a member with requisite expertise on the dairy industry, given the expanded scope of the Board,” he said.
Another change is to section 10, which now allows the producers who are subject to the bill’s regulation to manage the payment of levies.
Schletwein stated that Namibia is a net importer of food in general as well as meat, dairy products and poultry.
He said the expansion of these industries’ output volumes is essential for lowering dependency on imports, which is significantly impacted by international efforts to control animal diseases and the possibility of future inflation from imported goods.
Schlettwein further observed that for long-term industrial sustainability and to maximise consumer demand without acquiring cheaper goods abroad, local industry competitiveness growth is a requirement.
The Minister also noted that the expansion of these intensive agricultural industries, all of which have a great potential for job creation, is essential for reducing reliance on imports, ensuring a secure supply of food, and enhancing the value of locally produced raw materials.
“Reliance on imports not only presents a food security risk but also has associated economic and financial risks like imported inflation, exchange control and balance of payment risks, to mention a few.”
He also stressed the potential for trade balance improvement, import substitution, and diversification in intensive agriculture sectors including poultry, dairy and pork.
Namibia Mulls Law Amendments To Strengthen Food Production, Reduce Imports
