WINDHOEK – As a result of the recent restriction of livestock exports from Namibia to South Africa by the South African Veterinary Services, the Meat Board has sharpened its export permit system.
It is of utmost importance for the Namibian meat industry that commercial livestock is only destined for feedlots and abattoirs in South Africa. The Meat Board is currently in the process of verifying all destinations, ensuring that the destinations and requirements of all permits are adhered to and that the cooperation of all exporters is requested in this regard. At its last meeting on November 18 the Meat Board decided that all commercial livestock from Namibia may only be exported to specific destinations in South Africa. These destinations were compiled in cooperation with Namibian and South African role players, exporters and importers.
This regulation will come into effect on February 01, 2015. A list of destinations is available at the Meat Board’s web site (www.nammic.com.na) and at the Meat Board (Goliath Tujendapi (telephone 061-275836) and Jakkie Rossouw (Telephone 061-275 832)).
At last week’s Board Meeting, the Meat Board also decided, in the light of the inputs of the Minister of Trade and Industry, that it would be in the best interest of the Namibian sheep industry to maintain the 1:1 export restriction scheme on sheep. The Board discussed the current capacity utilisation, producers’ prices, sheep exports, period of export restrictions, local value addition and further growth of the sheep industry thoroughly in order to formulate this decision. The Meat Board will, however, carry out the request of the Minister of Trade and Industry Calle Schlettwein to establish a value addition strategy for the total value chain of mutton for the Namibian small stock industry, after which export restrictions will be taken into reconsideration.
For further enquiries Goliath Tujendapi can be contacted at the Meat Board (telephone 061 275836).
By Deon Schlechter