This is the latest version of this Act.
Related documents
- Is amended by Livestock Improvement Amendment Act, 1993
- Is commenced by Commencement of certain sections of the Livestock Improvement Act, 1977
Livestock Improvement Act, 1977
Act 25 of 1977
- Published in South African Government Gazette 5462 on 23 March 1977
- Assented to on 15 March 1977
- There are multiple commencements
- [This is the version of this document from 2 December 1993 and includes any amendments published up to 6 February 2026.]
| Provisions | Status |
|---|---|
| Section 1–17, section 24–29, section 30(1)(a)–(p), (1)(t)–(b), (2)–(5), section 31–33, section 34(1)(a)–(j), (1)(l), (2)–(6), section 35, section 37–38 | commenced on 1 May 1979 by Proclamation R80 of 1979. |
| Section 18–23, section 30(1)(q)–(s), section 34(1)(k), section 36 | not yet commenced. |
- [Amended by Livestock Improvement Amendment Act, 1993 (Act 25 of 1993) on 2 December 1993]
* “Ministry” for “Department”; and
* “Namibia” for “the Republic”.]
1. Definitions
In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise -“advertisement”, in relation to any animal, semen, ova or eggs, means any written, pictorial, visual or other descriptive matter or verbal statement, communication, representation or reference -(a)appearing in a newspaper or other publication;(b)distributed to members of the public; or(c)brought to the notice of members of the public in any manner,and which is intended to promote the sale or encourage the use of such animal, semen, ova or eggs; and “advertise” has a corresponding meaning;[definition of “advisory board” deleted by Act 25 of 1993]“A.I. centre” means any premises registered as an A.I. centre in terms of section 10;“animal” means any member of any such kind of animal and of any such breed thereof as may in terms of section 2 have been declared to be a kind and breed of animal for the purposes of this Act;“board” means the Livestock Improvement Board established by section 3;[definition of “board” substituted by Act 25 of 1993][definition of “Department” deleted by Act 25 of 1993]“egg” means a fertilized egg of poultry, or of an ostrich which is an animal;“inseminator” means a person who collects semen or carries out the artificial insemination of animals;“livestock breeders’ society” means a group of persons promoting the breeding (including the recording for registration of pedigrees), improvement and use of animals belonging to a kind and breed which has in terms of section 2 been declared, and in respect of which a certificate of incorporation has been issued in terms of section 18;[The definition of “livestock breeders’ society” was never brought into force (see RSA Proc. R80/1979), but it was amended by Act 25 of 1993 (not all of the changes are indicated by amendment markings).]“livestock industry” means the industry involving animals;“Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development;[definition of “Minister” substituted by Act 25 of 1993]“Ministry” means the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development;[definition of “Ministry” inserted by Act 25 of 1993]“officer” means an officer as defined in section 1(1) of the Public Service Act, 1980 (Act 2 of 1980);[The definition of “officer” is substituted by Act 25 of 1993. The Public Service Act 2 of 1980 has been replaced by the Public Service Act 13 of 1995.]“ovum” means a fertilized or unfertilized ovum of an animal other than poultry;“poultry” means any poultry which is an animal;“poultry industry” means that branch of the livestock industry involving poultry;“prescribed” means prescribed by regulation;“register” means the register kept in terms of section 5;“registrar” means the officer designated as Registrar of Livestock Improvement in terms of section 4, and includes an officer acting under a delegation from or under the control or direction of the registrar;“regulation” means a regulation made under this Act;[definition of “Republic” deleted by Act 25 of 1993]“scheme” means a scheme established under section 14;“sell” includes offer, advertise, keep, display, transmit, consign, convey or deliver for sale, or exchange or dispose of to any person in any manner, whether for a consideration or otherwise; and “sale” has a corresponding meaning;“semen” means the semen of an animal;[The definition of “Stud Book Association” was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979. It was deleted by Act 25 of 1993.][definition of “the territory” deleted by Act 25 of 1993]“this Act” includes the regulations;“veterinarian” means a person registered or deemed to be registered in terms of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Proclamation, 1984 (Proclamation AG. 14 of 1984), to practise a veterinary profession as defined in section 1 of that Proclamation.[definition of “veterinarian” substituted by Act 25 of 1993]2. Application of Act
3. Livestock Improvement Board
4. Designation of registrar
5. Register of inseminators, A.I. centres, animals and livestock breeders’ societies
6. Register to be evidence
7. Prohibition of collection of semen or artificial insemination and inovulation of animals
8. Prohibition of sale of semen
9. Requirements for registration of inseminators and A.I. centres and for approval of animals
10. Registration of inseminators and A.I. centres and approval of animals
11. Period of registration or approval
The registration of an inseminator, or of premises as an A.I centre, or the approval of an animal for the purpose of collecting semen, shall, subject to the earlier termination thereof under this Act be valid from the date of issue of the certificate in respect thereof under section 10(3) until the date of expiry indicated thereon, and shall thereafter be renewable from time to time.[section 11 amended by Act 25 of 1993]12. Renewal of registration or approval
13. Termination of registration or approval
14. Establishment of schemes
15. Provisions of a scheme
16. Importation of animals, semen, ova and eggs
17. Exportation of animals, semen, ova and eggs
18. Incorporation of livestock breeders’ societies
the Companies Act 28 of 2004.]
19. Amendment of constitution
20. Annual return
Each livestock breeders’ society shall annually, within the prescribed period after the end of its financial year, submit to the registrar a copy of such livestock breeders’ society’s prescribed annual return.[Section 20 was never brought into force (see RSA Proc. R80/1979), but it was substituted by Act 25 of 1993.]21. Action in case of complaints against livestock breeders’ societies
22. ***
[Section 22 was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979. It was deleted by Act 25 of 1993.]23. Exclusive powers of Stud Book Association and Karakul Breeders’ Society
24. Fees not payable by State
No fees payable in terms of this Act shall be payable by the State.25. Discretionary powers of registrar
26. Power to enter upon premises, carry out inspections, take samples for examination and seize substances or articles
27. Appeal against decisions or actions
28. False or misleading advertisements
29. Secrecy
No person shall disclose to any other person any information acquired by him in the performance of his functions in terms of this Act or a scheme and relating to the business or affairs of any other person, except -30. Offences and penalties
31. Evidence and presumptions
32. Assignment of powers and duties
33. Limitation of liability
No compensation shall be payable by the State, the Minister, the registrar or an officer acting under an authorization by or delegation from or under the control or direction of the registrar, by a person or body designated in terms of section 15(1) or by a person authorized by such person or body, in respect of any act done in good faith under this Act or a scheme;34. Regulations
35. ***
[section 35 deleted by Act 25 of 1993]36. ***
[Section 36 was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979. It was deleted by Act 25 of 1993.]37. ***
[Section 37 was never brought into force in so far as it relates to -(i) the Registration of Pedigree Livestock Act, 1957 (Act 28 of 1957);
(ii) the Registration of Pedigree, Livestock Amendment Act, 1962 (Act 27 of 1962); and
(iii) the Registration of Pedigree Livestock Amendment Act, 1967 (Act 1 of 1967).
See RSA Proc. R80/1979. It was deleted by Act 25 of 1993.]
38. Short title and commencement
History of this document
02 December 1993 this version
Amended by
Livestock Improvement Amendment Act, 1993
01 May 1979
23 March 1977
15 March 1977
Assented to
Uncommenced provisions
Legislation provisions that have not yet come into force.
All uncommenced provisions →
-
18. Incorporation of livestock breeders’ societies
18. Incorporation of livestock breeders’ societies
(1)Any group of persons desiring a certificate of incorporation as a livestock breeders’ society, shall apply therefor to the registrar in the prescribed manner and form, and such application shall be accompanied by its constitution, the prescribed application fee and such other documents as may be prescribed or the registrar may determine. (2)Such a certificate of incorporation may on such an application be issued to such a group of persons if - (a)the kind and breed of animal with which such group of persons is concerned has been declared under section 2; (b)no other such certificate is in force in respect of any livestock breeders’ society which is concerned with the same kind and breed of animal; (c)the board recommends it;[Paragraph (c) is substituted by Act 25 of 1993; the amending Act erroneously states that it is substituting paragraph (c) of subsection (1), but there is no paragraph (c) in subsection (1). It is clear that the intention was to refer to paragraph (c) of subsection (2).] (d)the constitution of such group of persons (i)contains the prescribed provisions; (ii)provides for the registration or recording of pedigrees of animals of the kind and breed concerned, and determines the conditions on which such registration or recording shall be made; (iii)[subparagraph (iii) deleted by Act 25 of 1993] (iv)provides that an officer designated by the Minister may attend any meeting of its members and take part in the proceedings thereat but without the right to vote at any such meeting; and (v)[subparagraph (v) deleted by Act 25 of 1993] (3)The registrar shall consider an application referred to in subsection (1), as well as such information as may have been submitted to him in connection therewith, and he may make such inquiry in connection therewith as he may deem necessary. (4)If the registrar grants such application, he shall issue a certificate of incorporation to the group of persons concerned and record the prescribed particulars in the register. (5)The registrar shall give notice in the Gazette of the issuing by him of such certificate of incorporation in terms of subsection (4), and of the date as from which the livestock breeders’ society concerned shall be incorporated, and shall notify the Registrar of Companies thereof, who shall as soon as practicable after that date record the name of such livestock breeders’ society in the register of companies to be kept in terms of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973).[The Companies Act 61 of 1973 has been replaced by the Companies Act 28 of 2004.] (6) (a)A livestock breeders’ society shall, as from the date specified in the certificate of incorporation issued to it, be a juristic person. (b)Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c), the provisions of the Companies Act, 1973, shall not apply to a livestock breeders’ society.[The Companies Act 61 of 1973 has been replaced by
the Companies Act 28 of 2004.](c)The Minister may by notice in the Gazette declare any provision of the said Act not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, with such modifications as may be specified in the notice, applicable to a livestock breeders’ society, and may withdraw or amend such notice in like manner. (d)The assets, liabilities, rights and obligations vested in a person in his capacity as a member of a group of persons concerned on behalf of the members of such group as such, or for which such person is liable in that capacity on behalf of the members as such, shall as from the date specified in the certificate of incorporation issued to such group in terms of subsection (4), vest in the livestock breeders’ society concerned. (7)[subsection (7) deleted by Act 25 of 1993][Section 18 was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979.] -
19. Amendment of constitution
19. Amendment of constitution
(1)The constitution of a livestock breeders’ society may be amended in the prescribed manner: Provided that such amendment shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. (2)Such number of copies as may be required by the registrar of each such amendment, or of the amended constitution, shall be submitted to the registrar within thirty days after such amendment has been effected, and such amendment shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (3), come into operation ninety days after being so submitted. (3)If the registrar, on the recommendation of the board, is of the opinion that such amendment is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, the livestock breeders’ society concerned shall be notified thereof, and thereupon such amendment shall be notified thereof, and thereupon such amendment shall be null and void.[Section 19 was never brought into force (see RSA Proc. R80/1979), but it was substituted by Act 25 of 1993.] -
20. Annual return
20. Annual return
Each livestock breeders’ society shall annually, within the prescribed period after the end of its financial year, submit to the registrar a copy of such livestock breeders’ society’s prescribed annual return.[Section 20 was never brought into force (see RSA Proc. R80/1979), but it was substituted by Act 25 of 1993.] -
21. Action in case of complaints against livestock breeders’ societies
21. Action in case of complaints against livestock breeders’ societies
(1)If a complaint is lodged with the Minister that a livestock breeders’ society, has not properly attained or is unlikely properly to attain the objects for which a certificate of incorporation has been issued to it, he or she may, if the board recommends an inquiry, refer such complaint for inquiry to a committee consisting of three members, appointed by the Minister, who shall be persons deemed fit by the Minister and one of whom he or she shall designate as the chairperson of such committee.[subsection (1) amended by Act 25 of 1993] (2)The Minister shall at least one month prior to the commencement of such inquiry notify such livestock breeders’ society in writing of the act or omission which is to be the subject of the inquiry and of the date on which the inquiry shall commence, and such livestock breeders’ society shall be entitled to be represented at such inquiry by an advocate or an attorney. (3)The provisions of section 27(4) shall mutatis mutandis apply with reference to an inquiry referred to in subsection (1). (4)If the committee mentioned in subsection (1) finds that the livestock breeders’ society concerned has not properly attained or is unlikely properly to attain the objects specified in subsection (1), the Minister may cancel the certificate of incorporation issued to such livestock breeders’ society or suspend it for such period as he or she may deem fit,[Subsection (4) is amended by Act 25 of 1993. The comma at the end should be a full stop.] (5)When the certificate of incorporation issued to such livestock breeders’ society is cancelled, such livestock breeders’ society shall be dissolved, and as from the date of such cancellation all the assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of such livestock breeders’ society shall devolve as the Minister may determine. (6) (a)The registrar shall give notice in the Gazette of the cancellation, under subsection (4), of the certificate of incorporation issued to such livestock breeders’ society. (b)The registrar shall delete the name of such livestock breeders’ society from the register. (c)The registrar shall notify the Registrar of Companies of such dissolution, and he Registrar of Companies shall delete the name of such livestock breeders’ society from the register mentioned in section 18(5). (7)Any member of the committee mentioned in subsection (1) who is not in the full-time service of the State, may be paid such allowances as the Minister may with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance determine.[Section 21 was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979.] -
22. ***
22. ***
[Section 22 was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979. It was deleted by Act 25 of 1993.] -
23. Exclusive powers of Stud Book Association and Karakul Breeders’ Society
23. Exclusive powers of Stud Book Association and Karakul Breeders’ Society
(1)No person other than a livestock breeders’ society may - (a)issue a certificate or registration of the pedigree of an animal bred in or imported into Namibia; (b)issue a certificate or recording of the pedigree of an animal bred in or imported into Namibia; (c)publish the pedigrees of animals mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b), in the form of stud books or herd or flock books. [subsection (1) substituted by Act 25 of 1993](1A)Subject to the provisions of subsection (3), a livestock breeders’ society shall not exercise any of the functions referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subsection (1) in respect of any animal other than an animal belonging to the kind and breed of animal with which such livestock breeders’ society is concerned.[subsection (1A) inserted by Act 25 of 1993] (2) (a)A certificate contemplated in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) shall not be issued unless the breeder of the animal concerned has registered with the livestock breeders’ society concerned a prefix or suffix to designate the animals bred by him or her. (b)Any such prefix or suffix shall be registered on such conditions and upon payment of such fee as the livestock breeders’ society concerned may determine, and the registration of such prefix or suffix shall be maintained on the periodical payment of the fee and on such conditions as may have likewise been determined, and the livestock breeders’ society shall issue a certificate in respect of each such registration. (c)Any prefix or suffix registered in favour of any person, shall not be used by any other person as a prefix or suffix or in any other manner to designate an animal bred by such other person. [Subsection (2) is amended by Act 25 of 1993, which also corrects a misspelling in the original Act.](3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1A), the functions referred to in subsections (1) and (2) may, in relation to any animal belonging to a kind and breed in respect of which no livestock breeders’ society exists, be exercised by any livestock breeders’ society if such livestock breeders’ society has been authorised by the registrar, on the recommendation of the board, to exercise those functions in relation to animals belonging to the kind and breed of animal concerned.[subsection (3) substituted by Act 25 of 1993] (4)The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1) and subsection (3) shall not be construed as prohibiting - (a)the breeder of an animal belonging to a kind and breed of which pedigrees are not registered or recorded, as the case may be, with a livestock breeders’ society from furnishing particulars of the pedigree of such animal in writing or otherwise; or (b)the owner of an animal in respect of which a certificate of registration or recording has been issued under such a power, from furnishing particulars of the pedigree of such animal shown on such certificate, in writing or otherwise. [subsection (4) substituted by Act 25 of 1993][Section 23 was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979.] -
30. Offences and penalties (1) (q)
(q)other than a livestock breeders’ society who, except in the circumstances referred to in section 23(4), furnishes in writing particulars of the pedigree of an animal bred in or imported into Namibia or publishes the pedigree of animals in the form of a stud book or a herd or flock book;[Paragraph (q) was never brought into force (see RSA Proc. R80/1979), but it was amended by Act 25 of 1993.] -
30. Offences and penalties (1) (r)
(r)who uses a prefix or suffix not registered in terms of section 23(2) as a prefix or suffix or in any other manner to designate animals bred by him, or who so uses a prefix or suffix registered in terms of that section in favour of any other person;[Paragraph (r) was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979.] -
30. Offences and penalties (1) (s)
(s)who in furnishing particulars in the circumstances referred to in section 23(4), makes a false statement relating to the pedigree of an animal;[Paragraph (s) was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979.] -
34. Regulations (1) (k)
(k)as to the provisions to be included in the constitution of a livestock breeders’ society;[Paragraph (k) was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979.] -
36. ***
36. ***
[Section 36 was never brought into force. See RSA Proc. R80/1979. It was deleted by Act 25 of 1993.]