Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA’S livestock export industry has come under pressure after annual inspections required to maintain European Union (EU) certification were suspended earlier this year due to funding constraints, prompting a temporary arrangement to prevent disruptions to exports.
EU-approved livestock farms are required to undergo annual inspections by state veterinarians to retain their certification and continue accessing important export markets. However, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) indicated that its operational budget for the 2026/27 financial year had been exhausted for the service, bringing the inspections to a halt.
The suspension raised concerns among producers whose livestock depend on EU-certified supply chains. Delays in inspections could result in certifications lapsing, potentially preventing producers from slaughtering livestock at export-approved abattoirs.
This could have wider implications for the livestock industry, export abattoirs and Namibia’s ability to meet its international export commitments.
The Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) urgently raised the matter with relevant stakeholders. Following discussions between organised agriculture, the DVS and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), a temporary arrangement has been reached to prevent disruption to exports.
Under the interim arrangement, producers requiring EU certification will, for a limited period, cover the travel and related costs of state veterinarians conducting the required inspections through the LLPBN.
The LLPBN is preparing a formal proposal to Government, while guidance from Treasury is required on the appropriate financial arrangements.
The arrangement is not regarded as a sustainable long-term solution. One option under consideration is the establishment of a dedicated Treasury account through which funds could be ring-fenced for essential DVS operational activities, including EU inspections.
A broader animal health levy is also being considered as a possible mechanism to sustainably finance veterinary services that are critical to maintaining Namibia’s animal health status and access to international markets.
The funding challenges have highlighted the wider economic importance of veterinary services, which extend beyond their administrative function.
Veterinary services play a strategic role in protecting animal health, food security, rural livelihoods and employment, while supporting Namibia’s access to international markets.
The LPO has therefore called for the strategic economic importance of the DVS to be recognised and for adequate funding to be provided to enable the Directorate to fulfil its statutory responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Namibia is also taking steps to strengthen its compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires products entering the EU market to meet requirements relating to legality and deforestation.
Namibia’s livestock sector has several systems already in place that support compliance, including an EU-approved livestock traceability system and the Farm Assured Namibian Meat Scheme managed by the LLPBN.
Cattle are identified through approved ear tags and registered on the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS), while livestock movements are recorded and monitored by the DVS. Beef exports also require veterinary and livestock board export permits.
These systems provide GPS-based traceability and support the EUDR’s requirements for legal production and supply-chain transparency.
Namibia also has legislation governing forestry and land use, including the Forest Act and Environmental Management Act, while its Community Forests programme promotes sustainable forest management and community participation.
The country has further been working to integrate GPS coordinates of cattle and beef production establishments into NamLITS, develop an integrated database for data compilation and geolocation reporting, identify and mitigate risks, and train producers on EUDR data requirements and submissions.
Namibia’s established livestock traceability systems, legal framework and institutional capacity are expected to strengthen its position as a compliant and trusted supplier to the EU market.
However, the immediate challenge of funding veterinary inspections remains unresolved.
While the temporary arrangement is expected to protect exports in the short term, stakeholders say a sustainable funding mechanism is needed to ensure that essential veterinary services remain reliable and that Namibia’s access to international livestock markets is protected.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Bovatra
