Local slaughter

MEATCO abattoirs will only accept local livestock for slaughter. This is in line with regulations from the European Union (EU), which stipulate that only Namibian-bred cattle are allowed to be slaughtered at Meatco’s abattoirs.

‘The reason for this is that cattle coming from other countries cannot be guaranteed to be hormone-free,’ Monja Viljoen, communications officer at Meatco, said on Friday. This regulation applies for all animals originating from other countries, including stud animals, regardless whether they are male or female. Namibian cattle, when exported to other countries, are identified with an ‘N’ brand mark on the side of the face.Double ear tagsTHE Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has suggested that all cattle of six months and older must have double tags by June 30 2010.Veterinary officials are to conduct an ear-tag audit on April 1 2010. A pilot study will be done to test the sending of reminders about outstanding permits to producers via SMS and per post to take place until December 31 2009.These are suggested dates only and the Agriculture Ministry will officially announce and gazette the dates soonest.Abattoirs closedMEATCO will temporarily close its abattoirs for routine maintenance work. The Windhoek abattoir’s last slaughter day for 2009 will be on December 18 and will reopen for slaughtering on January 5 2010. The Okahandja abattoir will be closed as from Friday, December 4 for large-scale maintenance to its floors and will only reopen for slaughtering in March 2010.The Katima Mulilo abattoir will temporarily close on December 16 and reopen for slaughtering on January 11 2010. The Oshakati abattoir will close on November 27 and reopen during the first week of February 2009.