Mutorwa wants no more outburstsThe agriculture minister has ordered the veterinary service and Meatco to cooperate in resolving suspicions of growth hormone at the Okapuka feedlot in the interest of the meat industry. Urgent solution to feedlot closure needed 0 The minister of agriculture, water and forestry, John Mutorwa, has directed everyone involved in the closure of Meatco’s Okapuka feedlot to refrain from emotional outbursts and to urgently seek a solution. The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) in the ministry on 2 September closed down the feedlot for at least eight months after zeranol was detected in urine samples taken at the feedlot on 4 April.
Meatco was informed that DVS closed the feedlot because it is committing a violation/repeat infringement due to zeranol being detected in samples twice within a period of 12 months.
Zeranol is used in some countries to fatten cattle. It is a known carcinogen and has been associated with infertility and breast cancer in people. Zeranol is banned in the European Union and countries must ensure that meat exported the EU does not contain any trace of it.
In an inter-office memorandum that was sent to Meatco’s board of directors, its chief executive officer and the DVS, Mutorwa directed all those involved to urgently solve the problem in the interest of Namibia’s beef industry.
“I implore you all to be calm and coolheaded when dealing with the matter. Only fact and the truth will provide mutually acceptable solutions and not emotional outbursts,” he said.
The minister said he had received written reports from both Meatco and DVS about the temporary closure of the feedlot. The DVS report was received on 20 September at 16:45 while Meatco’s report was received at 18:17 the same day.
Mutorwa said he directed the parties to meet on 21 September and deal with the issue rationally, unemotionally and according to the applicable and relevant policies and laws.
He said it was stressed during these discussions that the interests of Namibia’s meat industry, both nationally and internationally, must be the ultimate objective.
“The problem is not yet solved. The problem cannot and will not be solved through press conferences, statements alone. The time has come to find solutions to the problem urgently, but on the basis of verifiable and tested scientific results and objective empirical truth by preferably an independent and impartial and renowned scientist that are mutually agreed to by the two parties.”
Mutorwa said at a press conference in Oshakati yesterday that the two parties should find an independent scientist to determine the extent of the problem and advise on the source of the problem and the way forward.
The cost of the Okapuka feedlot closure to Meatco and the producer will amount to approximately N$3.5 million per week due to the prolonged standing days and decreased turnover of cattle.
With an assumed closure of eight months, the total losses are estimated at N$143 million. It is also expected that during that time at least 500 jobs will be lost. The closure will also have a detrimental impact on overseas markets which Namibia will be unable to supply.
Meatco has in the meantime directed all questions about the closure to the acting chairperson of the board, Ronald Kubas, who could not be reached for comment yesterday.