4 th Global Agenda of Action in Support of Sustainable Livestock Development

1. CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN NAMIBIA 4th Global Agenda of Action in Support of Sustainable Livestock Development Susanne Thalwitzer – 15-17 October 2013, Ottawa, Canada

2. TOPICS • BACKGROUND • BUSH ENCROACHMENT • ANIMAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT • SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS • STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

3. BACKGROUND • Surface 284,000 km2 • 60% desert or semi-desert • Population 2.01 million (58% in urban areas) • Average annual income US$ 4000,00 p.a. • 2nd highest Gini coefficient

4. 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 (%)

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

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

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

8. GAME SPECIES

9. BUSH ENCROACHMENT Cause: • Overstocking • Droughts • Extinction of fires Problem: • 26 million hectares affected • Up to 18 000 bush per ha • Harvesting yield up to 20 tonnes per hectare

10. BUSH ENCROACHMENT Solutions • 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 ? Challenges: • Lack of funds • Lack of EIAs • Risks to biodiversity • Sustainable conversion into energy

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

12. ZAMBEZI REGION • Agriculture and tourism major income generator • 12 000 livestock owners/ 160,000 cattle • Recurrent FMD outbreaks • Wildlife – source of livestock infection • 13 communal conservancies • Part of Transfrontier conservation area (KAZA TFCA)

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

14. “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

15. 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

16. 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

17. FAN MEAT SCHEMEExample for Stakeholder Involvement Meat Board of Namibia Directorate of Veterinary Services Meat Processors Abattoirs Commercial Farmers Communal Farmers Livestock Agents

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

19. MANAGEMENT CALENDER

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

21. THANK YOU !