This section contains information and/or updates on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures between Namibia and external trading partners that may affect Namibia’s access into external markets.
Revised import conditions notified to WTO SPS Committee
On 9 November 2015, South Africa notified her revised import conditions for for the import of cattle, sheep and goats from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland to the WTO SPS Committee with a comment period of 60 days from date of circulation of the Notification.
Animal health conditions for beef exports to China - "Lumpy Skin Disease obstacle" out of the way? Or not yet...
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) signed an Agreement with the The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of the People’s Republic of China on 3 August 2015. However, since the Protocol was signed, an outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease prevented Namibia from exporting any meat to China.
The current signed protocol between China and Namibia indicates that no beef may be exported within 12 months of the last confirmed case of lumpy skin disease. Discussions between the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and the Chinese ambassador in Namibia led to an undertaking to revise the protocol, and specifically the stipulation on Lumpy Skin Disease. The industry further requested that the export of bone-in beef and mutton, as well as offal and processed meat products from the NCA, should be added to the protocol.
The Protocol contains provisions related to the quarantine and veterinary health conditions of boneless and bone-in beef to be exported from Namibia’s free zone to China. The Protocol will take effect on the date of signature.
