Lum ase - Ministry of Agriculture

BMC export monopoly endsArticle: Goabaone Abby MolapisiPhotos: Gabotsoswe MogapiBotswana Meat Commission (BMC)is likely to face stiff competitiononce its export monopoly isrescinded.Mr Philip Wright, a member of theHainaveld Farmers Association saidthe amendment of Section 21 of theBMC Act, would allow farmers to targetneglected markets.The BMC, he says failed to market beefproperly as it only concentrated on theEuropean Union (EU) market.Minister of Agriculture, Mr ChristiaanDe Graaff is to table before Parliamentan amendment bill of the Act this year.Wright argues that BMC failed topenetrate other markets although onlya few tonnes of beef go to EU.Farmers complain that EU’s toughconditions make it difficult for beefproducers to supply them.“They say they want lean meat. Whatis lean meat?” he asked rhetorically.For his part, Dr David Falepau, BMCChief Executive Officer (CEO) says theabbatoir is not worried as it is the onlylegitimate export abattoir in Botswana.He says farmers will still have to useits facilities to slaughter for export, as itwill take a while for farmers to set up astandardized abattoir similar to theirs(BMC).BMC is also sure of supply of animalsbecause exportation of live animals willnot be permitted even under the newdispensation.Exportation of live animals, BMCargues, will be tantamount toexportation of jobs.Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministryof Agriculture (MoA), Dr MicusChimbombi said BMC will have tofind a new growth opportunity. Hesaid amendment of the Act will allowanyone to export processed meatproducts.This according to the PS will create anenvironment conducive for the growthof the agricultural sector.“The intention is not to kill BMC buton the other hand we do not wantthe abattoir to stifle the growth of thesector.”Chimbombi said BMC is at anadvantage because it is an alreadyestablished exporting entity.According to the current BMC Act, noperson other than the Commission shallexport cattle or edible products fromBotswana, unless in possession of apermit in writing to do so issuedby the Minister.The Act also stipulatesthat no such permit shallbe issued without theconcurrence of theCommission or unless the Ministerdeclares by order published in theGazette, that it is clearly in the publicinterest to issue such permit without theconcurrence of the commission.Minister De Graaff had earlier toldthe BMC Board to be prepared for theproposed changes and to take advantageof the changes to improve performance.He said they should work as ateam,and that he wasdisappointedwith the factthat beforethere wasno teamw o r kwithin theboard.BMC products face competitionDr Falepau, the new CEO7March 2011 2011