Business regulations for livestock, dairy farming and stock feed sub-sectors reviewed

Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) chief director, Dr Pious Makaya, said the department is prioritising surveillance and control of high-impact diseases such as tick-borne illnesses, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and Newcastle disease.

Judith Phiri Zimpapers Business Hub

THE Government has reviewed business regulations for livestock, dairy farming and stock feed sub-sectors as it undertakes comprehensive ease of doing business and regulatory fees reforms across all sectors of the economy.

This is in line with the vision of President Mnangagwa, under the mantra “Zimbabwe is Open for Business”.

The initiative seeks to enhance the investment climate, encourage domestic production and attract foreign direct investment.

In a statement, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube said the new framework will see Zimbabwe join a few countries in Africa implementing such comprehensive cross sector regulatory reforms simultaneously, in the process, positioning the country as a leader in creating a conducive environment for business growth, job creation, productivity, and competitiveness.

“The reforms are a product of a multi-stakeholder process led by the Office of the President and Cabinet, with support from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and technical assistance from the World Bank,” he said.

“The focus is on agriculture as the first phase, the reforms are being rolled out sector by sector, commencing with the agriculture sector, specifically the livestock, dairy, and stockfeed value chains. Government is elevating efforts to retain agriculture as the mainstay and engine of the economy, cognisant of its crucial role in job creation, particularly for the rural population, supporting 65 percent of livelihoods and the bulk of the country’s exports.”

He however, said the sector has been constrained by excessive regulations, high compliance costs, and duplication of responsibilities across institutions.

Prof Ncube said for example, dairy farmers previously required up to 25 permits across 12 agencies.

The Minister added: “Feed manufacturers needed 23 permits from 10 departments. Beef cattle farmers faced 18 requirements, while abattoirs required 20, dairy processors 21, and feed processors 23. These requirements placed a heavy financial and administrative burden on businesses, especially smallholders.”

On key reforms introduced, he they were removing duplication, reducing costs and simplifying compliance to promote efficiency, competitiveness and formalisation.

Prof Ncube said highlights include farm and processor registration fees such as the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) farm registration fees cut to $1 flat fee.

He said: “Farm Registration Certificate abolished for small/medium farmers (now $50 only for large-scale farmers). Dairy processor registration reduced from $350 annually to a one-time $50 fee. Feed manufacturing registration cut from $150-$250 to $20 flat fee.”

The Minister said for livestock and movement permits, there was abolishment of duplicate local authority permits.

While livestock movement clearance reduced to $5 per herd (down from $10 per beast).

On import and export facilitation, he said: “Import permit for livestock genetics (heifers, bulls, semen) reduced from $100 to $20. Export registration for dairy products reduced from $900 to $10. Meat export registration reduced from $500 to $100 annually. Agricultural export permit reduced from $70 to $10 annually, harmonised with ZimTrade.”

Prof Ncube said for the health and safety compliance, the local authority health certificate cut from $300 to $100 annually, while abattoir establishment fee reduced from $350 to $50 annually.

He said the veterinary abattoir registration capped at $100 flat fee (down from $600) as well as scrapping of food handler health certificates.

The Minister said: “On environmental and utility costs, EMA effluent and waste disposal fee for dairy farmers reduced from $800 to $100 annually. Environmental Impact Assessment Licence lowered from 1.5 percent of project value to 0.05 percent, capped at $100,000 and payable during operations, not upfront.”

He said there was scrapping of ZINWA borehole/water abstraction costs and water use fees as well as groundwater permit cut to $10 per farm.

Prof Ncube said EMA levies (effluent, generator) and ZERA levies have been abolished.

Other reductions and abolishments, he said they were scrapping of AMA livestock development levy, scrapping of cattle levy and biosafety permit and bio-safety registration reduced from $500 to $100 annually.

The Minister said there was abolition of National Biotechnology Authority import compliance licence ($1,100) and abolition of Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment Certificate (CBCA).

He said the broader economic impact was that the measures are designed to lower the cost of doing business, especially for SMEs, while also encouraging investment and exports in high-potential value chains.

Prof Ncube said these will create jobs and stimulate rural development, improve competitiveness and formalisation across sectors.

“Subsequent phases will extend to Tourism, Transport, Retail, and other strategic sectors, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s business environment is simplified, affordable, and aligned with Vision 2030,” he added.

“All future regulations will undergo a Regulatory Impact Assessment under the supervision of the Office of the President and Cabinet to ensure they do not undermine investment and economic growth.”

The Minister said the Government remains committed to creating a modern, efficient, and business-friendly regulatory system that drives inclusive economic growth and positions Zimbabwe as an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.