Portfolio Committee Meeting

16 NOVEMBER 2012

Purpose

To update the PC on the developments and progress on issues raised by the RMIF in September 2011 and October 2012

Focus on: Communication

Meat Safety Act

Animal Diseases Act

Other matters

Woolgrowers matters

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Communication

There was a different form of understanding between the Department and Forum with regard what type of communication is considered “communication”.

There is a proposal that all “communication” shall be in WRITING.

All communication shall be via Dr Hlatshwayo (the DAFF official contact point for the commodity)

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Meat Safety Act Independent Meat Inspection

Resolved that An intra-departmental proposal has been finalised after extensive

consultations with all Provinces and will be submitted to the DG and Min within the week.

Permission will be sought from Minister to consult the industry on the proposals for the IMI.

The industry will be informed by end November of the status and date for meeting (in Jan 2013).

The entire process will be concluded by end of financial year.

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Meat Safety Act (cont….) National Abattoir Rating Scheme

Noted the legal challenges experienced by DAFF on the matter.

Resolved that; Act. DG will write to the DG Dept Justice to request the matter be expedited. The nature of the legal constraints will be communicated to the industry

(possibly working group)

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Meat Safety Act (cont…..) Registration of abattoirs

DAFF confirmed that 45 abattoirs named by the industry have been investigated27 were lawfully functioning ( they are resisted with valid certificates)16 were closed due to non renewal, and 3 could not be identified – industry has been requested to provide more information

Routinely, the industry will forward information on the unregistered abattoirs still operating illegally (if any)

Department will investigate such information

Outcome of such investigation

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Animal Disease Act

TB and CA control Resolved that once the TB and CA manuals are signed off (in December 2012)

awareness campaigns to the general public will be conducted jointly with industry .

Illegal imports Noted that all (Orion) imports were legal and declared, inspected and released

at port of entry. Resolved that the concerns raised by industry were not related to defective

import control systems, but are issues pertaining to handling post import. It was agreed that an Inter-Ministerial committee (consisting of DAFF, DoH, the

dti) team shall be established to look into the entire handling of meat (both locally produced and imported).

The DAFF will also consider involving Food Safety Directorate (APS) Further discussions will take place with industry

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Animal Disease Act

Illegal Imports (cont……) On the issue of Master permits, it was resolved that the issuing of master

permits has been carefully evaluated by the department and poses low risk; and that it is intended as a practical measure to facilitate trade. It was agreed that this practice will continue.

Industry was encouraged to report all illegal imports for further investigation by DAFF

Border Fences It was resolved that a status report will be prepared for the BCOCC for

escalation to Cabinet. With regards to cattle in the KNP, it was resolved that the matter will also be

raised with the BCOCC and where possible, Local Government Legal representatives of the Department and industry will meet on

interpretation

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Other matters

Lesotho Grazing permits

It was noted that the issuing of the import permits are issued in terms of Section 6 of the Animal Diseases Act have been stopped.

It was resolved that a meeting will be held with all role players to seek a solution to the growing problem in the area. A workshop will be arranged in the Eastern free state to discuss problems that have arisen with the issuing of these permits

DAFF reported that the grazing permits in terms of the Animal Improvement Act have been stopped

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Other matters

Compensation Industry was informed that section 19 of the Animal Diseases Act have not

been amended and still stands It was resolved should the Department wish to change the legislation on

compensation, industry will be consulted as is expected.

Namibian Trade It was resolved that the Directorate International Trade will be tasked to

follow up on the matter and report back.

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Woolgrowers Matters

Control of Johne’s disease.

The Department met with the Sheep industry and it was resolved that: The current legislation will remain Industry will introduce vendor declarations which will compliment the current

control measure. To conduct Nation wide surveillance to determine the national status. The

outcome of the surveillance will inform the steps to follow. The Department and industry to embark on an OJD awareness campaign.

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Thank youThank you