SA animal feed imports to resume amid drought crisis
Relief for farmers
Namibian farmers have welcomed the adjustment on lucerne and teff import rules for animal feed from South Africa.
The Livestock Producers’ Organisation (LPO) has expressed its delight that livestock farmers once again have options to import animal feed from South Africa into Namibia.
This follows an announcement this week by the directorate of veterinary services (DVS) of the agriculture ministry regarding revised import requirements for lucerne and teff for livestock feed from South Africa.
“The LPO extends its gratitude to the DVS, which, together with LPO representatives and other industry stakeholders, has been exploring possibilities since December 2023 to find solutions to the drought crisis we are facing,” said LPO chairperson Jako van Wyk in a statement to Network Media Hub.
“Importers are advised to apply for veterinary import permits at the veterinary import/export control office,” acting chief veterinary officer Dr Johannes Shoopala said in a press release.
“It should be noted that importers must obtain a recommendation from a provincial state veterinarian in South Africa confirming that the farm of origin complies with Namibia’s veterinary import requirements before the issuance of veterinary import permits," he added.
Fodder urgency
Van Wyk confirmed that the LPO supports the import guidelines to uphold Namibia’s animal health status.
Many farmers have been severely impacted by the drought, as the import process was subject to strict quarantine regulations introduced by the World Organisation for Animal Health for countries with recognised disease-free zones. These measures were heightened following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in certain South African provinces in 2022.
The lucerne shortage was further exacerbated when the Hardap Irrigation Scheme at Mariental, Namibia’s main lucerne supplier, ceased operations on 31 October due to the dam reaching record low levels.
The last lucerne harvest from the scheme’s fields was sold out last week in Mariental.
For more information, importers can contact Dr Visitorina Benhard or Dr Liyemo Mahoto at 264 61 208 7890/1/2, or email [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].
— [email protected]
This follows an announcement this week by the directorate of veterinary services (DVS) of the agriculture ministry regarding revised import requirements for lucerne and teff for livestock feed from South Africa.
“The LPO extends its gratitude to the DVS, which, together with LPO representatives and other industry stakeholders, has been exploring possibilities since December 2023 to find solutions to the drought crisis we are facing,” said LPO chairperson Jako van Wyk in a statement to Network Media Hub.
“Importers are advised to apply for veterinary import permits at the veterinary import/export control office,” acting chief veterinary officer Dr Johannes Shoopala said in a press release.
“It should be noted that importers must obtain a recommendation from a provincial state veterinarian in South Africa confirming that the farm of origin complies with Namibia’s veterinary import requirements before the issuance of veterinary import permits," he added.
Fodder urgency
Van Wyk confirmed that the LPO supports the import guidelines to uphold Namibia’s animal health status.
Many farmers have been severely impacted by the drought, as the import process was subject to strict quarantine regulations introduced by the World Organisation for Animal Health for countries with recognised disease-free zones. These measures were heightened following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in certain South African provinces in 2022.
The lucerne shortage was further exacerbated when the Hardap Irrigation Scheme at Mariental, Namibia’s main lucerne supplier, ceased operations on 31 October due to the dam reaching record low levels.
The last lucerne harvest from the scheme’s fields was sold out last week in Mariental.
For more information, importers can contact Dr Visitorina Benhard or Dr Liyemo Mahoto at 264 61 208 7890/1/2, or email [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].
— [email protected]
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