Following Minister Thoko Didiza’s decision to lift the ban on livestock auctions, the Agricultural Produce Agents’ Council (Apac) has warned that although the ban has been lifted, preconditions have been set for livestock agents.
According to Apac registrar Francois Knowles, one of the most important conditions is that all livestock agents be registered with the council. “All livestock agents are required to re-register by the end of March, and from here on reregistration will occur in two-year cycles,” said Knowles.
“Another very important condition is that all animals need to be properly branded and marked. Proper completion of documentation needs to be practised as this will allow for traceability and curb stock theft. We can’t allow anything to slip through the cracks. This process can’t happen overnight and these measures need to be phased in to the industry. All livestock agents have been given a year to meet all the conditions,” said Knowles.
Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, announced on Monday that the national ban on animal gatherings had been lifted. - Zoë van Rooyen
