WINDHOEK, Jan. 7– Namibia has announced an immediate suspension of imports of raw bran and milling by-products from neighboring Angola, citing serious breaches of veterinary compliance.
In a public notification issued Tuesday evening by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, Chief Veterinary Officer Kennedy Shoombe confirmed that the ban took effect on Jan. 5.
“The Directorate of Veterinary Services has noted with concern that the importation of bran into Namibia from Angola has been carried out without full compliance with the import requirements as stipulated in the issued import permits,” the notice said.
“This non-compliance poses significant disease risks to the animal population of Namibia.” According to Shoombe, all previously issued import permits have been cancelled.
Shoombe said this measure is intended to allow veterinary authorities from both countries to engage and agree on the way forward regarding the importation of these products into Namibia.
Meanwhile, he urged importers to contact the veterinary import control office for further clarification. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
