Meat, fish trade permits coming
By NATION REPORTER THE Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries will from April 1, 2018 start processing all import and export permits for livestock and fish products, says permanent secretary David Shamulenge.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, Dr. Shamulenge said following the split of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, it became imperative that handling of the delegated functions of import and export permits from the Ministry of commerce, Trade and Industry further be split.
He said the action was in line with a Presidential directive, after which Cabinet approved establishment of offices of provincial and district livestock and fisheries coordinators; and the department of livestock and fisheries marketing, for purposes of fulfilling the separated mandates.
Dr. Shamulenge said the facilitation of market access for livestock and fisheries products to both domestic and foreign markets, through the processing of related import and export permits, was now his ministry’s responsibility.
And Dr. Shamulenge said his ministry would continue to engage major stakeholders in the fish industry over many concerns raised about extension of the fish ban. He said the cholera task force had been assessing water and sanitation conditions in the fishing camps during the extended ban.
“Reports have since started coming in, and they will inform us on the way forward on the ban. However, it is apparent from the reports that a lot still needs to be done in the fishing camps to improve the water and sanitation services,” he said.