Namibia's veterinary budget shortfall threatens beef exports to the EU

The Namibia Agricultural Union NAU stated that this halt in inspections, which occurred earlier this year, places significant pressure on producers exporting to the EU. Failure to conduct timely inspections could lead to lapsed certifications, preventing producers from slaughtering livestock at export-approved abattoirs and potentially impacting the industry and Namibia's ability to meet international export obligations. EU chargé d’affaires Ian Dupont emphasized that trade in livestock and animal products is subject to strict sanitary, phytosanitary, animal-health, and food safety requirements designed to protect importing countries from risks like disease introduction.

He noted that the health guarantee for Namibian beef exported to Europe begins on the farm, not at the abattoir. Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 Namibian producers undergo these inspections annually. The Livestock Producers Organisation LPO intervened, leading to a temporary solution to prevent immediate disruption to exports.

Dupont highlighted that due to transboundary livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease FMD in the region, annual inspections are crucial. He warned that skipping inspections would render animals from uncertified farms ineligible for the EU market, citing past FMD outbreak