Import of livestock from Namibia reviewed

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the South African Veterinary Services, and their Namibian counterparts, as well as the South African livestock industry met on 10 June 2014 to discuss matters relating to livestock imports from Namibia into South Africa. The meeting was facilitated by Dr Gideon Bruckner, world-renowned independent expert with international experience on matters relating to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and World Organisation on Animal Health (OIE).

The meeting resolved that import requirements would be streamlined to facilitate trade while safeguarding South Africa’s animal health status. The meeting determined that there would be a single standard operating procedure (SOP), which will cover cattle and sheep destined for slaughter purposes.

For the purpose of the SOP, the term “slaughter purposes” is understood to include livestock intended for direct slaughter or for confinement to a feedlot before slaughtering. In the discussions and upon thoroughly subjecting the proposed SOP to scrutiny, it was resolved that certain substantive aspects required further consideration from the South African Veterinary Services and the South African livestock industries. Subsequent to refining the inputs from both parties, the SOP will be discussed with South African Provincial Veterinary authorities.