Namibia bans South African meat imports

A BAN has been placed on the import of all meat and meat products, dairy products, hides, skins and trophies from cloven-hoofed animals, including game, from South Africa.

Importing live cloven-hoofed animals from South Africa is also prohibited.According to Dr Cleopas Bamhare, acting chief veterinary officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, the ban follows an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the neighbouring country’s Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) province.South African veterinary authorities reported last week that foot-and-mouth disease was detected at dip tanks in the north-eastern parts of KZN.Bamhare said all permits issued in respect of cloven-hoofed animals and products are withdrawn with immediate effect.He said all farms in Namibia that have received live cloven-hoofed animals from South Africa since January 1 this year will be placed under quarantine. According to him, this is ‘to allow intensified surveillance’.Upon enquiry, Bamhare yesterday told The Namibian that the number of local farms involved is still being determined. He does not expect this to be high because ‘we don’t import many live animals from South Africa’.He emphasised that the prohibition is a precautionary measure and that an outbreak has not been detected locally yet. ‘Farmers are urged to report any suspicions of disease in their herds and flocks to their state veterinarian. Early detection and early reaction are key to the control of disease outbreaks.’

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