The MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Ms Nomakhosazana Meth congratulates the red meat producers from the Eastern Cape and Al Mawashi company on a court victory again NSPCA as delivered by the Grahamstown High Court today, Tuesday 25 August 2020.
The province of the Eastern Cape has a high number of livestock, particularly cattle, sheep and goats exceeding any other province in South Africa. This burgeoning number of livestock in the province has not always manifested economic benefits to the province’s farmers, particularly black and emerging farmers. Al Mawashi’s export programme contributes in the department’s endeavours to convert the high livestock number the province has into economic fortunes. The recent exports that have been done to the Middle East and other parts of the world have started helping the province’s farmers to realise value from their livestock, particularly the sheep emerging farmers.
The live export trade of sheep and cattle in South Africa is legal and protected by the Animal Protection Act of 1962. Whenever there is an opportunity to export animals, our veterinarians do the necessary inspections of the head to be exported and animal handling to assess fitness to travel is always above reproach. As a normal practice, the department will work with Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to comply with all the instructions as outlined by the court judgement.
Issued by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform
For clarities and comment, please contact Ayongezwa Lungisa on 0733457229
