Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) participated in stakeholder engagements in Namibia on 8 and 9 October, alongside industry representatives from both countries, to discuss animal health measures and future livestock trade arrangements.
The Namibian delegation included the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the Livestock Producers’ Organisation (LPO) and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN). South African participants included RMIS, the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) and Agri SA.
Industry representatives agreed that the risks associated with moving sheep differ from those associated with cattle, warranting species-specific protocols. However, the final import standards must be negotiated and agreed upon by the veterinary authorities of both countries before trade can resume.
“The livestock sectors of South Africa and Namibia are closely connected, and it is in everyone's interest to find workable solutions that protect animal health while supporting producers on both sides of the border,” said RMIS CEO Dewald Olivier. “Our role as industry is to contribute constructively to that process and ensure producers' realities are understood, but the final protocols must be determined by the respective veterinary authorities.”
South Africa and Namibia have a long-established sheep trade relationship, with between 80% and 90% of Namibian sheep destined for the South African market.
Industry representatives expressed broad support for maintaining this trade, provided appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure imported sheep are free of FMD risk.
The discussions also highlighted the need to manage abattoir throughput responsibly to avoid oversupplying the South African market and placing additional pressure on local producers. Any agreement should also be based on reciprocity, including provisions for South African genetic material to move into Namibia.
Cattle imports present greater sensitivities in the context of the current FMD situation, according to RMIS. Discussions included the possibility of moving Namibian cattle south of the red zone in the Karas Region for vaccination and monitoring in a feedlot for at least two weeks before export to South Africa.
Namibian cattle would need to meet the same vaccination and handling standards as South African cattle.
“Where cattle are concerned, there is no room for shortcuts,” said Olivier. “Imported animals must meet exactly the same vaccination and handling standards as our own herd.”
The proposed measures remain subject to agreement between the veterinary authorities of South Africa and Namibia.
