Livestock traders get relief as Minister scraps power of attorney rule

DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Livestock and Fisheries Ambassador Dr Bashiru Kakurwa has scrapped the requirement for livestock traders to produce a power of attorney from licensed livestock owners when transporting animals, saying the condition has no legal or regulatory basis and is hampering business.

Dr Bashiru announced the decision on Wednesday during his working visit to Pugu Secondary Livestock Market in Dar es Salaam, where he met traders and other stakeholders to hear their concerns.

“Starting today, I declare that this requirement is no longer necessary. It has no legal basis, no regulatory basis and no procedural basis. More importantly, it obstructs and undermines the business environment,” he said.

He directed authorities to immediately communicate the decision to livestock stakeholders nationwide, stressing that removing the requirement would not affect controls on livestock movement.

Traders will still be required to obtain livestock movement permits, which the minister said were necessary to trace the origin and destination of animals and prevent the spread of diseases.

“First, you need a livestock movement permit. That permit must be obtained easily and without unnecessary obstacles,” Dr Bashiru said.

He directed officials responsible for issuing the permits to ensure the system operates reliably and that eligible traders receive permits without bribery or unnecessary delays.

“Sometimes the system goes down, sometimes you wait for eight hours, while cattle are standing there without water. This must stop,” he said.

The minister said the reforms were intended to strike a balance between facilitating livestock trade and maintaining necessary safeguards in the sector. He stressed that removing unnecessary requirements should not be interpreted as relaxing measures designed to protect animal health and public safety.

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He said a functional movement permit system would allow authorities to monitor livestock movements while reducing delays that can increase costs for traders and expose animals to unnecessary hardship during transportation.

Dr Bashiru also urged officials to ensure that regulations are applied consistently, saying traders who meet the requirements should not face additional procedures that are not provided for under existing laws and regulations.

The minister said unnecessary administrative barriers should be removed to enable livestock keepers and other agricultural producers to operate their activities as viable businesses and contribute to food security and the national economy.

“Livestock keepers and fishers are also investors, just like other investors. It is not appropriate to say that we are improving the business environment while the environment for agriculture, livestock and fisheries, which are also commercial sectors, remains unfavourable,” he said.

Dr Bashiru also ordered a crackdown on illegal livestock and livestock-product trading through unauthorised markets and auctions.

He directed the Tanzania Meat Board and Tanzania Dairy Board to identify and take action against operators conducting businesses illegally, including closing unauthorised markets and auctions.

The minister further directed the Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (DAWASA), in collaboration with Pugu Livestock Market management and the Dar es Salaam City Council, to ensure a reliable water supply at the market.

The measures are aimed at removing unnecessary obstacles facing livestock traders while maintaining controls required to protect animal health, consumers and the integrity of the livestock trade.

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