Ban on live cattle exports to Namibia lifted

South Africa has resumed live cattle exports to Namibia, following the issuing of revised import documentation by that country’s authorities.

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The Namibian government suspended all veterinary import permits for cattle from South Africa earlier this month, to allow them the opportunity to include the disease, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) commonly known as mad cow disease, in official import documentation, according to a statement by the Namibian Department of Water, Agriculture and Forestry.

“We are impressed by the way the matter was managed by both the Namibian and South African authorities,” said SA Red Meat Producers’ Organisation vice-chairperson, Dr Pieter Prinsloo.

The local red meat industry had also applied to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to have South Africa declared BSE-free, Prinsloo said.

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