Issuing of Livestock Buyer’s License

1. Service Description

All livestock Buyers or speculators in Botswana are required by law (Control of Livestock Industry Act CAP.36.01) to be holders of current Livestock Buyer’s License issued under this Part in order to purchase or otherwise acquire livestock for the purpose of trade. Livestock Buyer’s License is valid for twelve (12) calendar months and can be renewed just a few days before the expiry date. The administrative processing of the Livestock Buyer’s License has been transferred from the Ministry of Local Government to that of Agriculture with effect from the financial year 1^st of April, 2007.

2. How do I obtain service?

 The Ministry of Agriculture does not grant customers permission to have a Livestock Buyer’s License. Only the Paramount Chiefs or District Commissioner have jurisdiction to grant permission to any one to buy livestock from public property. Customers present themselves to their home tribal Paramount Chief or District Commissioner, where they are well known. They produce a valid national identity card or residence permit as well as present their desire to trade with livestock. After processing the information, the Paramount Chief or District Commissioner issues the customer with a permit letter. The Customer takes permit letter to Agricultural Office at his/her district headquarters and get the permit same day. If the applicant would like to buy cattle from another district, he/she takes the permit for endorsement by the Paramount Chief of that tribal territory.

3. How do I Apply for Service?

To get a Livestock Buyer’s License, the applicant must clear application through:-

i)                    Tribal Authority

ii)                   District Commissioner

iii)                 Bring your national identity card (omang)

4. Cost Involved in Obtaining the Service

i)                    When a Livestock Buyer first obtains a license, he/she must pay P200.00 as security fee.

ii)                   Pay annual fee of P70.00 and P52.50 for a license issued after the 30^th of June in every year.

iii)                 For a Livestock Buyer’s Agent License, that is, if you are going to act for some one who already have a Livestock Buyer’s License, applicants are required to pay P50.00 for an annual license and P32.50 for a license issued after the 30^th of June.

5. Where can I get more Information?

Please contact:

Principal Scientific Officer I

Livestock Marketing Section

Department of Agribusiness Promotion

P/Bag 00298

Gaborone

Tel: (267) 3689396

Livestock Marketing Officers:

Gantsi              - 6596381

Kanye              - 5440121

Molepolole      - 5920529

Serowe            - 4630000

Lethakane       - 2978299

Francistown    - 2412092

Selebi-Phikwe - 2600573