WMA urges livestock keepers to use verified weighing scales to ensure a fair value for their livestock

DODOMA: THE Weights and Measures Agency (WMA) has urged livestock keepers to stop selling animals based on visual estimates and instead use verified weighing scales to determine their actual weight and ensure they receive fair value for their livestock.

The call was made in Dodoma by WMA Chief Executive Officer Alban Kihula, who said the use of accurate measurements was essential in promoting fairness and transparency in livestock trade.

Kihula said selling livestock based on visual estimates could result in losses for livestock keepers because they may not know the actual weight of the animals they are selling.

“Let us stop selling livestock based on visual estimates. It is important to use scales to determine the actual weight of an animal and ensure that livestock keepers receive the value they deserve,” he said.

He said the use of verified weighing scales should apply to the trading of various types of livestock, including cattle, goats, sheep and chickens, as well as livestock products such as meat and milk.

According to Kihula, the use of accurate measurements would increase transparency in livestock trade and help reduce disputes between livestock keepers and buyers over the weight and value of animals.

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He also urged traders and the public to stop using informal measuring methods, including buckets, bundles, tins and cans, and instead use weighing scales that have been verified in accordance with the law.

Kihula said the use of unofficial measurements could undermine fairness in trade and cause one of the parties to suffer losses due to the absence of a legally recognised standard of measurement.

He also urged farmers to use accurate measurements throughout the various stages of production and trade, from measuring the size of their farms to weighing their produce when taking it to market.

“Farmers should use accurate measurements in all their activities, including measuring the size of their farms, production and produce when taking it to market,” he said.

He said the use of accurate measurements was essential in enhancing commercial transparency, protecting the interests of producers and buyers, and ensuring that each party receives value commensurate with the goods sold or purchased.