AGRICULTURAL NEWS - The South African government's new regulations for the importation of livestock will affect the Namibian livestock industry severely as it would limit livestock exports to that country and reduce producers' income.
The new import regulations for the export of cattle, sheep and goats from Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland, according to the South African Government Gazette No. 714, is aimed at protecting that country's animal health status.
The new regulations, effective from 1 July, involve strict animal health testing, and will basically close the door on imports from Namibia. Chief veterinary officer Milton Maseke said Namibia exports on average around 250,000 weaners and an equal number of goats and fat-tailed sheep to neighboring South Africa.
The new SA conditions will result in extra testing and quarantines for the animals, resulting in fewer animals becoming eligible for export. "From our previous experience, we are only able to certify 10% of the animals under these conditions," the veterinarian said, adding that this would mean more animals will remain in Namibia.
The new regulations, effective from 1 July, involve strict animal health testing, and will basically close the door on imports from Namibia. Chief veterinary officer Milton Maseke said Namibia exports on average around 250,000 weaners and an equal number of goats and fat-tailed sheep to neighboring South Africa.
The new SA conditions will result in extra testing and quarantines for the animals, resulting in fewer animals becoming eligible for export. "From our previous experience, we are only able to certify 10% of the animals under these conditions," the veterinarian said, adding that this would mean more animals will remain in Namibia.
This will increase the pressure on scarce resources such as grazing due to the drought and lack of marketing options for producers, thereby reducing their income.
He said the Department of Veterinary Services in its efforts to mitigate the impact on Namibian livestock producers will meet to strategise how the limited certification can equitably be made available to producers to ensure that at least some animals continue to be exported to South Africa.
He said the Department of Veterinary Services in its efforts to mitigate the impact on Namibian livestock producers will meet to strategise how the limited certification can equitably be made available to producers to ensure that at least some animals continue to be exported to South Africa.
Maseke could not comment at this stage on what Namibia's response will be on the finality of the consultations with South Africa.
