The aim of the Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (LMAC) is to protect, promote and further the interests of those persons engaged in the livestock and meat industry in Zimbabwe and ensure the economic viability of the sector.

LMAC’s scope of work involves identifying key constraints affecting the growth of the industry, deliberation and discussion on a wide range of issues of concern to the industry as well as passing recommendations on a regular basis to the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development on industry concerning and covering meat, dairy, hides, feeds and feedstuff and import and export applications.

LMAC Membership comprises representation from the following associations/ organisations:

• Auctioneers
• Livestock Identification Trust
• Pig Producers Association of Zimbabwe
• Stockfeed Manufacturers Association of Zimbabwe
• Zimbabwe Association of Abattoirs
• Zimbabwe Herd Book
• Zimbabwe Poultry Association
• Meat Processors Association of Zimbabwe
• Rabbit Breeders & Producers Association of Zimbabwe
• Zimbabwe Quails & Aviculture Association
• Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association
• Market Linkages Association

The organisations below work in collaboration with the LMAC, attend and participate in its activities;

• Department of Livestock & Veterinary Services
• Department of Economics & Marketing
• Animal Health Industry Committee
• Bankers Association of Zimbabwe
• Commercial Farmers’ Union
• Council of Veterinary Surgeons of Zimbabwe
• Leather & Allied Institute of Zimbabwe
• Sheep and Goats
• Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe
• Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers
• Zimbabwe Association of Butchers
• Zimbabwe Commercial Farmer’s Union
• Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union

The LMAC seeks to promote the development of a sound, healthy, vibrant and economically viable livestock and meat industry in Zimbabwe through the following avenues:

• Lobbying and advocacy;
• Identification of key constraints affecting livestock and meat production and making recommendations to improve production and marketing with particular reference to smallholder farmers;
• Monitoring the implementation of strategies for the increase in livestock production and improved meat security;
• Recommending methods of strengthening linkages between government and private sector production activities;
• Proposing measures to promote a balanced and broad based production system;
• Providing counsel on strategies and instruments to reduce livestock and meat product insecurity at national and household levels;
• Recommending methods of maximizing benefits from international and regional trade agreements.

Some of the lobbying and advocacy issues that the Council has been working on and endeavours to address include:

• Establishment of consumer meat and dairy consumption patterns and markets in Zimbabwe;
• Recommendation of strategies and instruments to reduce and mitigate livestock and meat product insecurity at national and household levels;
• Collection of livestock and meat industry statistics and returns;
• Coordination and establishment of standards criteria and draw up quality assurance schemes for livestock, dairy and meat products for the various Associations;
• Curbing of illegal importation of meat imports (chicken pieces, pork bones, offal) and dumping;
• Lobbying for the establishment of a multi-ministerial health port health authority to bolster meat and livestock products movement checks across the borders;
• Regulatory review;
• Assessment of the impact of high Rural District Council levies charged to cattle producers;
• Imposition of duty on wheat flour to encourage importation of wheat for processing into wheat flour and bran;
• Assessment and impacts of the importation of Botswana beef cattle on the local meat industry.

• The Council provides letters of recommendation and support to exporters including stockfeed raw materials exporters and genetics.
• Some trade related legislation.