The farming community and other stakeholders are informed that brands registration and livestock keeper registration has resumed at the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters, after completion of the upgrade of the Livestock Identification and Traceback System (LITS).

The Ministry has also started cascading the brands registration and livestock keeper registration to district offices.

We expect to get back to normal field service functionality (livestock movement permit issuance, transfer of ownership, and bolus insertions), in most districts by 16^th April 2012; this is to give provision for equipment collection by districts.

As part of the LITS upgrade some validations will now be enforced in the system for bolus insertions, livestock ownership transfers and livestock movement. These validations require that all farmers be registered with the Department of Veterinary Services and that all farmers possess valid brand certificates registered with the department.

Farmers already captured in the LITS were automatically registered and issued with farmer ID numbers. However, all new farmers will be registered as they apply for brands certificates.

We further urge farmers to ensure that their brand certificates are valid. All expired brand certificates are to be renewed, as the system will reject expired brand certificates for bolus insertion or any other transaction.

Furthermore, it is expected that there will be a period of stabilization after the upgrade, during which brief disruptions to service should be expected.

The Ministry appeals to the farming community to bear with us, as we continue with skills transfer for users on the new system.

The farming community is also informed that the department is organizing district bolus insertion campaigns that will be conducted end of April to beginning of  May; farmers should contact their extension officers for schedules.

The department regrets any inconvenience caused to farmers. For further inquiries farmers may contact the LITS office at 3689135/3689523/3689532.