Botswana beef is embroiled in a doping scandal and faces possible ban from the European Union (EU).
Sunday Standard investigations have turned up information that the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has been sitting on internal information showing that a sample from one of the actors in the beef value chain tested positive for a prohibited substance following a random doping test conducted on feedlots across the country.
In a memo dated 10 June 2021, the Acting Director of DVS one K. Motshegwa, informed officers across the country that “Tholo Holding beef finisher has tested positive for SAlINOMYCIN- a prohibited additive feed for bovines(cattle).
According to Motshegwa, DVS officers were requested to inform farmers to discontinue using the substance in question.
“You are further requested to order feed distributors to discontinue using this product pending further investigations. Please put in place necessary measures to ensure that animals exposed to this feed are not exported to the European Union and United Kingdom markets,” said Motshegwa.
Insiders have revealed fears that scores of farmers who bought cattle feeds from Tholo Holdings may have sold their cattle to the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), exposing the national abattoir to EU ban. Sunday Standard has received reports that the ministry has been trying to keep the issue under wraps for fear of the BMC being blacklisted by the EU.
DVS has established that Tholo Holdings had been administering salamyscin doses above the limit set by the EU, raising concerns that some consignment which had been exposed to the feedlot are likely to be turned away by the Union.
It is understood that some farmers who used the feedlot which has been using the prohibited substance for growth promotion have sold cattle to the BMC which in turn sold the beef to the EU and UK markets.
The DVS which has been entrusted by the EU as the central competent authority in the Ministry of Agriculture has been accused of treating some feedlots and feed centres such as Tholo Holdings with kid gloves resulting in the current lapse.
The DVS has been entrusted with the responsibility of guaranteeing that meat exported to the EU and UK meets standards for animal health, identification, movement control and hygiene.
Observers said this week that the continued return of positive results for growth enhancing substances is likely to bring the country and its beef industry under scrutiny especially from the EU and United Kingdom.
It is understood that the DVS which is a regulatory entity sought to keep the issue under wraps and didn’t want to take responsibility for the lapse. In 2012, the EU threw out Botswana beef consignment after it was discovered that it failed a chemical risk assessment procedure.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Letlhogile Modisa had promised to furnish this publication with a comment but had not done so at the time of going to press. Sunday Standard sought to know among others what action is likely to be taken against Tholo Holdings.
Asked to comment on the latest development, BMC spokesperson Brian Dioka said, “The issues/matters raised in your request-falls within the revered purview of the competent authority (being Director of Veterinary
Services –DVS).”
Dioka said, “it would therefore be improper and ill-advised for BMC to make an official comment at this point.”
Botswana National Beef Producers Union (BNBPU) Chairperson, Mpaphi Phumaphi would also not be drawn into discussing the issue saying, ” ask the DVS about it.”
Tholo Holdings Director Werner Faber declined to comment on the matter save to say he did not want to discuss the issue with the media.
