South Africa lifts ban on some Namibian meat exports

South Africa has lifted its ban on meat imports from Namibia, but the Hardap and Karas regions remain quarantined due to an outbreak of Rift Valley fever on farms there.

Cleopas Bamhare, the acting chief veterinary officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, said that exports from the main abattoirs were allowed again since Monday (May 17).

The ban on the movement of live animals and animal products to and from the two affected regions remained in force, Bamhare said.

The ministry announced late last week that cases had been confirmed on two farms in the Hardap Region and that an investigation was underway into suspected cases in the Karas Region.

Meanwhile, Meatco spokesperson Vicky Raimond-Muranda said that cattle slaughtering was continuing as usual.