Agric Ministry to launch NamLITS, stock brands awareness campaign

• By Confidente Reporter

THE Agriculture Ministry will launch an education campaign about the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS) and stock brands.

The ministry’s Executive Director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, recently announced that the campaign will run from 17 July to 31 October, and the ministry encourages all livestock farmers to participate and support the program.

The campaign, according to Nghituwamata, will be carried out by officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) in partnership with the Namibia Meat Board. These representatives will be visiting all regions to discuss the campaign with livestock producers and regional authorities and the itinerary for these visits will be announced in due course.

“The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness and educate farmers about the proper use of cattle ear tags, stock brands, and how to register on NamLITS Online. Furthermore, specialised stations will be set up in each region to help livestock farmers update stock branding, ear tags, and livestock-related information on NamLITS,” she stated.

According to Nghituwamata, the effort was spurred by the large number of abandoned stock brands listed on the NamLITS database, as well as outdated livestock-related information.

As a result, she noted, stock brands that have not been used for two years would be deactivated in accordance with the Stock Brands Act 24 of 1995.

“After the completion of this campaign,” she said, “an official notice will be issued to deactivate stock brands that are no longer in use and other outdated livestock information.”

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