December 11, 2003

 

 

Namibia's Biggest Meat Exporter Lost N$5 Million Over EU's Export Ban

 

Meatco, Namibia's biggest meat exporter has lost about N$5 million due to the recent suspension of beef and mutton exports to the European Union (EU).

 

Claus Duvel, Chairperson of Meatco's Board, confirmed to The Namibian on December 9 that 17 containers that were sent to European markets were rejected.

 

"These we had to return as they were not certified, and we will sell them in the RSA [Republic of South Africa],"he said.

 

Duvel added in a telephone interview that it was likely that about N$5 million would be lost as a result.

 

Meatco Chief Executive Philip Stoffberg said last month that if any meat had to be turned back then losses were likely, because of transport costs and because beef is sold at premium prices in EU markets.

 

Meatco recorded a surplus before tax of N$65.6 million in the 2001-02 financial year, up from N$30,1 million a year earlier.

 

Duvel added that he expected new meat exports to be cleared, if all went well, in the next 10 days.

 

"The abattoir in Windhoek has closed for the Christmas break; Okahandja abattoir will close next week. When slaughtering resumes in January we should have [export] certification," he said.

 

He said the adjustments that Meatco had been required to make by the EU were minor in nature, and had all been made already.

 

They had to do with changing temperature controls during the maturation of carcasses, sterilising cattle trucks and the certification of meat as safe by vets at the abattoir rather than at export offices elsewhere.

 

The inspection team had also raised concerns about the tracing system for animals, which the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture oversees.

The Director or Veterinary Services and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry could not be reached by phone on Tuesday.

 

Duvel dismissed a report in last Friday's Namibia Economist which said the mixing of fresh and dirty water in abattoirs was a problem.

 

In fact, he said, the EU's inspectors had consistently praised the cleanliness of the abattoirs.