By Wezi Tjaronda WINDHOEK Witvlei Meat, which took over the liquidated Witlvlei Abattoir last year, is on the verge of gaining approval to export beef to the European Union market. “We are ready to export as soon as we get the stamp of EU approval,” said Managing Director of Fatland, Terje Wester, a Norwegian meat-producing company that is in partnership with Witvlei Meat. Wester is part of a delegation of companies that are in Namibia to look at the possibility of concluding agreements with Witvlei meat. The delegation includes the Nordesgruppen Supermarket Chain, the largest supermarket chain in Norway, the Norwegian Meat Trade and others. The supermarket chain has about 2 000 supermarkets with a collective turnover of N$40 billion. Witvlei Meat manager, Hendri Badenhorst said 60 percent of the company’s production would be destined for the Norwegian market while 30 to 40 percent would be exported to neighbouring South Africa. Because of the size of the plant, the focus at present will be Norway and include Scandanavian countries for distribution. Wester said Norway needed big volumes to popularise Namibian meat in that country, adding that the meat already has a good grip on that market and that the exports would start there. Although Namibia’s exports to Norway have increased from 2 700 tonnes to 3 200 tonnes, there still is need for lots of beef, considering that production in that country cannot meet demand. Two weeks ago, the company exported its very first consignment to South Africa, which according to Badenhorst was well received by supermarkets there. Sydney Martin, Board Chairman of the Namibian company told the media yesterday the company in conjunction with meat importers of Norway – Norwegian Meat Trade – were about to reach an agreement that will see Namibia put a foothold in the meat industry of Norway. Martin said the visiting companies had received information that Namibia maintains one of the highest standards of hygiene on farms and in abattoirs. The companies met the Meat Board of Namibia and the National Laboratory. Norwegian Meat Trade is one of the biggest traders in Norway and is looking at the possibility of obtaining meat from Namibia. Even though Fatland produces a lot of beef, Wester said it could not satisfy the demand in his country and that the country needed to import. “It is still early in the process but we have made good progress,” said Wester. The packaging of Witvlei Meat will be done complete with all the requirements such as packaging date and traceability number. Martin said in response to a query about the loss of identity of Namibian products once they hit the overseas markets, that the beef exports would maintain their identity. “Everyone says Namibia has the best beef and diamonds but when they get to the EU, they don’t find the Namibian beef and diamonds,” he said, adding that Witvlei meat would brand its product and ensure that it was nothing less than the best quality beef into a sophisticated market. This technology, according to Martin, backs up to the Norwegian system to shorten the line between the producers and retailers. Badehorst announced that the plant will send managers for further training and on their return, a group of employees will also go to Norway for training. In 2008, a group of farmers from Norway will also visit Namibia to see how production is done here.