MoA Extends Dispensation On Exports

Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security has extended the dispensation on the export of live slaughter cattle and meat products.A press release from the ministry, says the dispensation will be done by two licensed abattoirs for a period of two years, starting from January 2022 to December 2023.

This was also emphasised by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in his recent State-of -the -Nation Address (SONA), where he stated that in an effort to revitalise the beef industry, government had facilitated three private abattoirs to export beef and its by-products to international markets.

President Masisi further said the Beef Cluster Competitive Reinforcement Initiative (CRI) had been extended to commercialise the small stock subsector and promote export diversification.

“I must acknowledge that the beef industry has been faced with challenges in the past years. As of October 2020, government took a decision to allow for export of live cattle, which is a major relief for farmers and an alternative market for the beef industry,” Said Dr Masisi.

Further, the release says as of September 2021, about 168 860 cattle were exported to neighbouring South Africa and Namibia.

“The export of live cattle is expected to continue for the next two years, subject to periodic reviews,” said Dr Masisi. The President further emphasised that after the overwhelming response from Batswana on his initiative to distribute rams and bucks to farmers across the country, he had decided to expand the initiative to include distribution of bulls.