22 Aug 2024

The Meat Industry Regulatory Authority Act of 2023 serves to protect interests of the livestock industry, including the pricing system, Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Fidelis Molao has said.

Responding to questions asked by MP for Ghanzi South, Mr Motsamai Motsamai, Honourable Molao said the Act further provided for regulating of marketing and grading of livestock and meat products.

Through the Act, he said, farmers would be able to speak with one voice to influence the market prices.

Mr Motsamai had asked whether the minister was aware that Charleshill District prices had fallen down to P12 per kg and whether Parliament had also rescinded a motion that was adopted that the minimum price for the sale of cattle must be P19 per kg.

In that regard, Mr Molao said the cattle pricing system was not regulated, but fluctuated with seasons and was dependent on the market forces.

He said producers can only be advised to organise themselves and improve their bargaining power.

“The market system is based on the offer and acceptance between the buyer and the seller and the seller can accept or reject the price offered by the buyer,” he added.

He further said the declining prices to P12 per kg or even lower, were not only peculiar to Charleshill District, but prevailed across the country.

Mr Motsamai had also asked why Parliament rescinded on motion that would have effected changes on pricing and wanted to know why its resolutions can be disregarded.

To that, Honourable Molao also stated that government had not rescinded on the motion, but the current prevailing market environment did not allow for its implementation. ENDS