The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform says it has lifted the ban on importing live poultry and birds from South Africa.
Simultaneously, the Ministry has suspended the import and in-transit movement of live poultry from Brazil.
The Ministry’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, Johannes Shoopala, said importers can now resume bringing in live poultry and birds from South Africa, provided they meet specific conditions.
The conditions include that the poultry must originate from compartments approved by the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and registered in terms of VPN 44.2012-01.
“Additionally, the poultry must be from a compartment listed for export to Namibia in the monthly list approved by Namibia’s Director of Animal Health. Be from parent flocks that have not been vaccinated against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza,” he said.
He also added that the ban on imports from Brazil also includes birds, raw/uncooked poultry products, live ostriches, and raw ostrich products from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
This decision follows the outbreak of Newcastle Disease in the region.
“The disease was detected on 9th July 2024; therefore, the suspension is effective as of 18 June 2024 based on an incubation period of 21 days as set by the World Organisation for Animal Health,” he said.
He further explained that consignments from the State of Rio Grande do Sul containing poultry products packed in their final packaging on or after 18 June 2024, will be rejected and sent back to Brazil or destroyed at the importer’s cost.
“Please note that a reefer container will be regarded as a consignment, and will be handled as an entity. We will not allow cartons (e.g., in case of chicken meat) to be sorted according to the date of production. All previously issued import and in transit permits issued to the State of Rio Grande Do Sul are hereby cancelled and recalled with immediate effect,” he said.
Cooked poultry meat products for commercial purposes may still be imported into Namibia under a veterinary import permit.
