Organization : Department of Veterinary Services
Facility : Livestock Keeper Registration
Country : Botswana
Website : https://www.gov.bw/animal-husbandry/livestock-keeper-registration
How To Apply For Livestock Keeper Registration in Botswana?
This service allows Livestock Keepers to be registered and allocated a Livestock Keeper ID in BAITS, this is linked with the electronically Identified Cattle, Brands Registration and location. The service involves, new registration, Renewal and /or issuance of a Keeper Card. Livestock keepers are valid for 2 years.
Step:
Visit the nearest Veterinary District Office for registration
The Director
Department of Veterinary Services
Private Bag 0032
Gaborone,
Botswana
Tel : 17755
Email : moa17755 [at] gov.bw
Opening Hours: 07:30 to 12:45 then 13:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
Who is Eligible For Livestock Keeper Registration in Botswana?
** Valid National Identity Card (Omang) and children under 16 years a Birth Certificate
** Non-citizens need to have a valid Resident Permit.
** Companies need to be in possession of a valid Company’s Registration Certificate.
Documents Required For Livestock Keeper Registration
** A valid National Identity Card (Omang) or a Birth Certificate for citizens (Original or certified).
** A valid Resident Permit and valid Passport for non-citizens (Original or certified).
** A valid Company’s Registration Certificate for companies.
Livestock Theft Prevention Tips
There are several factors contributing to an active environment for livestock theft in Botswana:
** Readily available market for stolen stock.
** Limited number of abattoirs.
** Unregulated earmarks and brands for small stock.
** Failure to exercise care on the part of farmers.
The Stock Theft Act’s inadequacy in dealing with possession of stolen stock or produce has resulted in many acquittals. The information here is intended to raise awareness amongst farmers and the wider community on issues relating to the prevention and protection of stock from thieves.
Methods Used By Stock Thieves:
** The majority of stock stolen for rearing purposes is calves. Criminals target calves which are not yet branded and marked.
** These unmarked offspring are taken and hidden in secret kraals which are erected in bushy areas.
** Ultimately, the stolen stock is branded and ear marked by criminals. Some criminals keep matimela (stray animals) in their kraals and then brand and mark their offspring.
** In most cases they end up killing the parent to the offspring (cow) to destroy evidence.
** Small stock such as goats and sheep are usually monitored by syndicates while inside kraals and then stolen during the absence of a guardian or at night and loaded in vehicles and sold to butcheries, meat markets or to individuals for rearing.
** Cattle are often slaughtered in the bush or in abandoned farms at night, where the heads and skins are disposed of. The carcass is then transported to butcheries and other meat outlets.
** Cross border stock theft usually involves organized international stock theft syndicates who take advantage of porous borders and livestock left unattended grazing along the border.
** The stolen livestock is driven across the border to readily available.
** Hired herders who are not properly remunerated sometimes slaughter livestock for domestic consumption and then claim that the livestock went missing or died from diseases or wild animal attacks.
** They usually steal employer’s stock from their surrounding area.
** Sometimes criminals deface the original brand mark of the owner and then brand the animals with their own brand.
** Cows, followed by goats, are the most commonly stolen livestock.