Namibia resumes import of poultry meat from SA

Namibia will resume importing poultry meat from South Africa, following the suspension of the importation and in-transit movement of live poultry and poultry products from South Africa last year. This was due to the increase in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases in South Africa. HPAI is a bird flu with a high death rate that spreads rapidly through a flock.

Chief veterinary officer at the agriculture ministry Albertina Shilongo said it should be noted that only poultry derived from live poultry originating from bio-secure farms, as listed by the veterinary authority of South Africa, will be permitted to be imported into Namibia.

Deadly illness

Last September, the agriculture ministry announced the suspension of the importation of live poultry, fresh frozen poultry, table eggs, day-old chicks and hatching eggs from South Africa to Namibia.

At the time, the ministry said the suspension was prompted by an alarming spread of HPAI cases in commercial poultry on export-approved poultry farms.

The ministry said there was a need to reinforce control measures to prevent the possible introduction of HPAI into Namibia through poultry and poultry products.

Last year, South Africa lost 9.5 million chickens, about a third of its national flock, during its worst outbreak of HPAI.