Transcript Meat Safety Act

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 investigated
27 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 you