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Issue 00631 |
August 28 - September 3, 2010 |
issn 0856 - 9135 |
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Front Page 2 |
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Livestock also to have registered ‘number plates’ By Arusha Times Reporter Eventually when you meet a Maasai herding his cattle you may be interested to check the herds authenticity by inspecting the registration numbers stamped on each cow. A special animals’ registration system which shall provide all large livestock with compulsory individual identification numbers similar to motor vehicle number plates will soon be established in eleven countries of Eastern Africa. The states, including Tanzania will be expected to establish agreed mechanism to ensure that all large farm and domestic animals are permanently branded and marked with standardized system to identify the country, district or ‘tribe of origin’ as well as the area and owner. The official and likely to be digitalized, livestock registration and branding system is expected to take effect soon after the ratification of the proposed ‘Protocol on the prevention, combating and eradication of cattle rustling in Eastern Africa,’ expected to be endorsed formalized before the end of this year. The effort is expected to bring to an end cases of animal and livestock smuggling as well as cattle rustling. Tanzania hosted the meeting to fast track the said protocol. The two-day event held in Arusha is organized by the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) and Institute for Security Studies. The meeting has brought together heads of security forces, government officials, the Interpol from 11 EAPCCO member countries as well as other international delegates. It was officially opened by the regional commissioner Mr Isidore Shirima. “Cattle rustling has developed from traditional crime into a major international syndicate which now involves the use of heavy weapons, mass killings and civil strife that could cause severed international relation because the racket usually take place in border areas,” said Mr Shirima. In the last three years Tanzania lost close to 15 billion/- in cattle rustling activities. Arusha which has the highest number of cattle in the country at 1.2 million (not counting goats and sheep) is also said to lead in cattle rustling cases. Inspector Shagihilu Lufulondama who heads the cattle rustling division of international police (Interpol) in Dar-Es-salaam revealed that such illegal activities have been costing Tanzania a loss of 4 billion/- every year. “Cattle rustling also cause civil wars leading to loss of lives and property, but also economy suffers because people no longer involve in productive activities as they spend much of their time fighting or tracking stolen animals,” he said. The Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr Geofrey Kamwela said cattle rustling seem to be a major problem in Tanzania because it happens to be the only Eastern African state which borders many countries. “We are surrounded by eight neighboring countries, which means with the exception of the Indian Ocean coastline every other inch of Tanzania’s borderline provides a loophole for cattle rustling and smuggling that is why the country seems like the vortex of this racket,” he pointed out. And the racket keep getting dangerous; "Cattle rustling goes in sync with proliferation of small arms and light weapons and is major component of land and territorial conflicts," added Mr Kamwela. Tanzania itself has close to 40 million large livestock among them an average of 20 million cattle, 13.1 million goats, 4 million sheep and 1.2 million pigs. The country is also home to some 54 million poultry. The Article 6 of the proposed anti cattle-rustling protocol require all livestock in EAPCCO region, that is Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia and Sudan be registered. Legislative measures will include seizure, confiscation and forfeiture to the state of all livestock relocated without or in contravention of licences, permits or written authority. It may also apply to all unregistered and unidentified animals. |
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