December 18, 2003

 

 

South African Beef Producers To Block Namibian Beef

 

The South African Feedlot Association, a group of beef producers, is leading a campaign to block Namibian beef imports entering the country.

 

The association is targeting Meatco shipments, which were sent back from the European Union after EU inspectors issued a critical report on sanitary conditions at Namibia's abattoirs.

 

The report led the Namibian Government to stop the export of beef and mutton to Europe until further notice.

 

Meatco, which says the problems identified by the EU were minor, is now trying to sell this meat in South Africa.

 

A Meatco official on Tuesday dismissed speculation that major SA supermarket chains, including Pick'n'Pay, are reconsidering their purchases of Namibian meat.

 

"Meat which is not fit for consumption in the EU is now heading for SA. Why should the South African consumer be expected to purchase beef which has been rejected elsewhere?" a Feedlot Association press release said.

 

"Beef produced in South Africa is of a superior quality, and is leaner and more nutritious than much of the beef produced elsewhere," said Dave Ford, the association's Executive Director.

 

The release said producers represented by the association market close to 80% of total beef production in South Africa.

 

Jannie de Jager, Meatco Sales Manager in South Africa, said he was not aware of any major clients refusing to buy Namibian meat.

 

"I'm not worried about that at all," he said when asked about the effect of the Feedlot Association statement.

 

He referred all further questions to Meatco Managing Director Philip Stoffberg, who was in London and could not be reached for comment.

 

At a press conference last month, Stoffberg told reporters Namibian beef was "absolutely safe", and the problems at abattoirs were relatively minor ones.

 

"The shortcoming found at the abattoirs was rectified within 24 hours of us being notified of it," he said.

 

The EU report said meat that was being matured at abattoirs was stored at marginally too low a temperature and that trucks were not sterilised in between transporting loads of cattle.

 

Tuesday was a public holiday in South Africa and Pick'n'Pay could not be reached for comment.

 

Meatco has already lost about N$5 million over the cancelled shipments, totalling 17 Meatco's Chairman Claus Duvel said last week he hoped the suspension of exports, which was imposed by the Namibian Government following the EU inspection, would be lifted by the end of this week "if all went well".

 

Kahijoro Kahuure, acting Permanent Secretary in the Agriculture Ministry, could not be reached for comment till date.