Martin Endjala
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), formerly known as the Meat Board of Namibia, has announced an increase in stock brand fees.
The announcement indicated that the new fees became effective on 8 January.
A stock brand fee is paid to register a unique identifying brand mark used on livestock in Namibia.
This mark ensures that livestock can be traced back to their owner if found.
The Stock Brands Act No. 24 of 1995 governs the fee and regulates livestock identification in the country.
It covers the cost of officially registering an owner’s cattle brand.
According to Anita Boshoff-De Witt, the executive meat standards, the increase is based on the average inflation of 4% as reported by the Bank of Namibia’s Consumer Price Index.
Under the revised fee structure, the cost of registering a stock brand will increase from N$173 to N$180.
The fee for transferring a brand will rise from N$63 to N$66, while a duplicate certificate will now cost N$113, up from N$109.
Boshoff-De Witt called on livestock agencies, state veterinary offices, the LLPBN, and agricultural farmers’ unions and associations to ensure the implementation of the new fees.
At the same time, Paul Strydom, CEO of LLPBN, explained changes to levy payments in the egg sector.
He said that sellers would now pay general levies directly to the LLPBN rather than having purchasers collect and remit them on their behalf.
This clarification is based on paragraph 5(1)(a)(i) of Government Notice No. 382 of 23 December 2024, which aligns with the LLPBN Act No. 12 of 1981.
“The words be collected by the purchaser from the seller and paid to the board in the case of sale as per paragraph 5(1)(a)(i) imply that the seller will pay the levy directly to LLPBN and in so doing they comply with the set regulations,” he clarified.
Strydom’s statement follows confusion within the egg sector regarding levy payment processes.
He emphasised that the clarification ensures compliance with existing regulations.
