Vet department sets rulesfor importing raw bran

Namibia has turned to Zambia and Angola to import raw bran and by-products of the milling industry for use in making animal feed.

This comes as drought continues to affect livestock production.

The Department of Veterinary Services has laid down the standard operating procedure for the importation of the raw bran into Namibia.

Acting chief veterinary officer Johannes Shoopala earlier this month all raw bran and by-products from the milling industry intended for use in animal feed production in Namibia should be imported under cover of a veterinary import permit, in accordance with the Health Act.

“This is to ensure the prevention of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, BSE and to eliminate the risk of contamination with antibiotics and growth promoters which are prohibited for use in stock feed in Namibia,” Shoopala says.

He adds importers are given two options under which these products can be imported.

The first option is to source the bran from an establishment registered and approved by the veterinary authority of the exporting country.

“Raw materials imported under this option will not be subjected to isolation at the port of entry into Namibia,” Shoopala says, adding that application forms should be accompanied by proof of veterinary registration of the exporting establishment.

He says raw materials imported from an establishment that is not approved by the veterinary department of the exporting country will be subjected to isolation at the point of entry into Namibia for a minimum period of 30 days.

“The application form should be accompanied by the facility isolation inspection form,” the veterinarian says, adding that this directive is only applicable to unprocessed raw bran and by-products of the milling industry which are not mixed with other ingredients.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na