December 16, 2003

Namibian Meat Imports Suspended After Failing to Meet Required Procedures

The European Union has suspended the import of Namibian meat following the discovery that required slaughtering procedures were not met.

Among of the discrepancies listed was the failure to sterilize trucks taking animals to the abattoir.

Among the problems listed was that trucks taking animals to slaughter were not being sterilised after unloading, a requirement by the EU due to FMD concerns.

Before the suspension of exports, Namibia was able to export up to 13,000 tons of deboned beef and mutton to the EU on an annual basis under the African Caribbean and Pacific quota arrangement.  Between January and November this year Namibia exported 10,000 tons of beef and mutton to the EU, primarily to the UK.

The Meat Board of Namibia do not expect the impact of the suspension will have immediate effects on exports and propose it will channel beef and mutton onto the domestic market and export into surrounding nations, such as South Africa.