mmegi

BMC monopoly nears end as Cabinet approves meat regulator

Under pressure: The BMC’s finances have been strained for years and the situation appears likely to worsen
Under pressure: The BMC’s finances have been strained for years and the situation appears likely to worsen

The days of the Botswana Meat Commission being solely responsible for beef exports are numbered after Cabinet this week formally approved the establishment of the Meat Industry Regulatory Authority (MIRA), the central tool for the industry’s liberalisation.

The greenlight from Monday’s Cabinet meeting suggests that legislation for MIRA could come before Parliament’s November sitting, a schedule that is in line with announcements made in June by the Ministry of Agriculture.

BusinessWeek is informed that MIRA’s approval came during a marathon sitting of Cabinet on Monday where several other key memos were passed by ministers.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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