Consultative meetings set for meat producers

The livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), formerly the Meat Board, is calling on stakeholders to attend a final consultative meeting on proposed draft government notices and regulations on hides and skins, poultry and the dairy industry.

The objective of the board is to promote the interest of the meat industry of Namibia inside the country and elsewhere as an internationally recognised organisation that promotes a profitable, vibrant, quality-driven Namibian meat industry in local and international markets.

The latest issue of the weekly Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) newsletter says the meetings will consider a draft government notice, withdrawing government notice 129 of 1 June 2004, making provision for new prohibitions relating to the import and export of poultry, dairy products, poultry eggs, and hides and skins.

In a notice to organisations and institutions that represent producers, LLPBN chief executive Paul Strydom says discussing a draft government notice amending the schedule to government notice 272 of 15 December 2010 will also be part of the agenda.

This notice deals with the imposition of general and special levies on livestock and livestock products to add poultry, dairy products, poultry eggs and hides and skins.

Strydom said the meetings for the hides and skins, as well as those for the dairy sector will be held at the LLPBN’s offices tomorrow and Wednesday, respectively.

The meeting for the poultry industry is scheduled for 7 February at the Agra ring hall at the Windhoek showgrounds.

The aim of the consultative meetings is to ensure the board promotes a conductive environment for sustainable livestock production, market growth and diversification of livestock, meat and meat products and to maintain standards and quality assurance through appropriate regulatory interventions.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na