It is still not possible to import ostriches.

The Directorate of Veterinary Services said in a statement yesterday that caged birds will be accepted from all areas except those under restriction for avian influenza (bird flu) control.

Importers must obtain a certificate to indicate that the birds test negative for the disease within 21 days of export.

Last year, Government banned the import of all poultry and related products during August and September following an outbreak of bird flu among ostrich populations in South Africa.

The flu did not spread to chickens, but as a precautionary measure live chickens, chicken meat, eggs and ostriches could not be imported into Namibia during this period.

Towards the end of September importers were again allowed to buy chicken meat, hatching eggs, table eggs, day-old chicks and point-of-lay pullets from sites deemed safe by South African authorities.

Deputy Director of Veterinary Services Cleopas Bamhare told The Namibian yesterday that the number of sites from which import was permitted was growing continuously, now also making the import of processed poultry meat products possible.

Bamhare said his department was confident that South Africa had managed to effectively contain the disease and hence the decision to further relax the ban.

Importers are now permitted to import items such as chicken pies, marinated chicken breasts and chicken burgers.

Products manufactured from poultry meat legally imported into South Africa are now also permitted to enter Namibia.

The Veterinary Directorate has once again warned importers that all imports are subject to a veterinary import permit and that applications for import from non-approved establishments will not be granted.

The import of certain caged birds is also subject to a permit from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

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