New Namibian law on plant quarantine

PARLIAMENT has passed a law to control and manage the movement of plants and plant products in Namibia, one day before the Members of Parliament went into a two-month recess last week.

The new law also provides for imports and exports of plants and related products and for phytosanitary standards, required for international trading by means of a certificate. The new legislation further provides for the prevention, control and eradication of plant pests.The Agriculture Ministry will establish plant quarantine stations across the country and will also set up a national plant protection organisation and train plant quarantine officers.However, before the new law, which imposes fines of up to N$20 000 for offences, comes into effect, a vast range of regulations must be drawn up first, which usually takes many months.Namibia has several indigenous plants like devil’s claw and hoodia, which are of great medicinal value and are already being exported.The new legislation further provides for the prevention, control and eradication of plant pests.The Agriculture Ministry will establish plant quarantine stations across the country and will also set up a national plant protection organisation and train plant quarantine officers.However, before the new law, which imposes fines of up to N$20 000 for offences, comes into effect, a vast range of regulations must be drawn up first, which usually takes many months.Namibia has several indigenous plants like devil’s claw and hoodia, which are of great medicinal value and are already being exported.