4 th Global Agenda of Action in Support of Sustainable Livestock Development Susanne Thalwitzer – October 2013, Ottawa, Canada CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN NAMIBIA

TOPICS BACKGROUND BUSH ENCROACHMENT ANIMAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

BACKGROUND – Surface 284,000 km 2 – 60% desert or semi-desert – Population 2.01 million (58% in urban areas) – Average annual income US$ 4000,00 p.a. – 2 nd highest Gini coefficient

BACKGROUND Largest industry sectors: mining, tourism and agriculture 70 % of population depend directly or indirectly from livestock production Subsistence farming Commercial farming Contribution of agriculture to GDP (%)

LIVESTOCK SPECIES & BREEDS Cattle: 2.9 million Sheep: 2.5 million Goats: 1.2 million

Source: Usda & Comtrade/Trademap 2011 World Top beef exporting countries (2011) MEAT EXPORTS

EXPORT ABATTOIRS EU approved RSA approved MARKETS UTILISED BY MEATCO (2010)

GAME SPECIES HartebeestZebraKuduOryxSpringbok Population Off takes

BUSH ENCROACHMENT -Overstocking -Droughts -Extinction of fires Cause: Problem: -26 million hectares affected -Up to bush per ha -Harvesting yield up to 20 tonnes per hectare

BUSH ENCROACHMENT -National Rangeland Management Strategy (2010) -Manual and chemical removal of bush -Changes in rangeland management practices (multispecies systems, rotation and rest periods) -Subsidy schemes for bush reduction ? Solutions Challenges: -Lack of funds -Lack of EIAs -Risks to biodiversity -Sustainable conversion into energy

ANIMAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT Movement restriction FMD surveillance FMD vaccination Ban for meat export Veterinary fences

ZAMBEZI REGION Agriculture and tourism major income generator livestock owners/ 160,000 cattle Recurrent FMD outbreaks Wildlife – source of livestock infection 13 communal conservancies Part of Transfrontier conservation area (KAZA TFCA)

Integration of HACCP & COMMODITY BASED TRADE APPROACH IMPROVED CATTLE MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY “DEVELOPMENT OF EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BEEF PRODUCTS FROM THE CAPRIVI”

“DEVELOPMENT OF EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BEEF PRODUCTS FROM THE CAPRIVI” Market analysis Cost benefit analysis for different land use options Development of protocol for animal health and food safety Pilot project Capacity building for Veterinary Services Mentoring and training programs for farmers Strong collaboration with partners from agriculture and wildlife conservation Risk assessment Review of FMD management practices

SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS Causes: Rangeland capacity decreases – droughts, bush encroachment Rangeland quality decreases – overstocking Wildlife - consumptive and non-consumptive use Other land uses, such as eco tourism or hunting Land reform ‘Lifestyle farming” GVN policies

SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS Solutions: Implementation of National Rangeland Strategy Commitment from GVN and other institutions Training and education Research Local value addition Multispecies systems Improved production

FAN MEAT SCHEME Example for Stakeholder Involvement Meat Board ofNamibiaDirectorateof Veterinary Services Communal Farmers Commercial Farmers Livestock Agents Abattoirs Meat Processors

FAN MEAT STANDARDS Good Farming Practices Extensive Grazing Traceability Animal Welfare Standards No Growth Promoters No Ruminant Derived Proteins Predator Management SUSTAINABLE

MANAGEMENT CALENDER

CONCLUSION 1.Integrated approach needed to address challenges 2.Need for more research and information required 3.Commitment from GVN and private sector essential

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