ZNFU BOARD MEETS THE REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENT The ZNFU Board and Management met the Republican Vice President Dr Guy L. Scott MP on 1st September 2014 to discuss a number of issues affecting the Zambian Agricultural sector. Topical among the issues discussed was the need for Government to come up with tax and non-tax measures in the 2015 National Budget that will help reduce the cost of agricultural production and cost of doing business generally. The Union also expressed worry on delayed FRA payments to farmers; high statutory contributions to Workman’s Compensation Board; illegal importations of heavily subsidized agricultural commodities into Zambia. The Vice President also acknowledged the Union’s concerns and pledged his Government’s commitment in resolving the issues affecting agriculture today. He also pointed out the need to reduce the cost of finance as another measure that will help to lower the cost of agricultural production and doing business in Zambia. With regards to crop marketing, the Vice President assured the Union that Government was working at ensuring that all farmers who supplied their maize to FRA are paid in good time before the onset of the rains. The Republican Vice President also indicated that he was in discussions with the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Finance to see if FRA could buy slightly more than 500,000MT but without outstripping the agency’s capacity to safely store the purchased grain. He also informed the meeting that FRA was going to only offload its purchased maize stocks on the local market at cost-reflective prices and that the time to offload such stocks was going to be agreed upon by all stakeholders. The meeting also reemphasized the need for import duty on powered milk, export duty on maize bran and for a regulated import regime for agricultural commodities, especially wheat and livestock. The Vice President also reassured the Union that Government was going to make follow ups to see how Workers Compensation could improve its responses to claims and on how to keep monthly subscription more affordable. ZNFU President led the Union team which comprised of 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, Andrew Moffat and Graham Rae; Director Davy Gordon, Trustees G. Robinson and K. Asherwood; ZNFU Executive Director Mr. Ndambo and Mr. Hamusimbi Head Outreach and Membership.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 08:08:01 +0000
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