Staff Reporter
THE Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has suspended beef exports after the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Karasburg area of the //Kharas Region.
Stephanie M. De Klerk, Deputy Chairperson of Meatco, said that the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has activated the National FMD Contingency Plan and introduced immediate national control measures, including the suspension of movement and marketing of cloven-hoofed animals, slaughter at abattoirs, and the import and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products.
“Meatco is fully complying with these measures and is working closely with the Directorate of Veterinary Services and other relevant authorities. In accordance with the national directive, Meatco has suspended further beef exports requiring movement under the affected arrangements until further guidance is received from the competent veterinary authorities,” De Klerk said.
She added that regarding consignments that had already been exported, shipped or were in transit before confirmation of the outbreak, this is being established in consultation with the relevant authorities, logistics partners, customers and importing markets.
“At this stage, Meatco does not wish to speculate on the treatment of individual consignments or whether any product may need to be returned. These matters are governed by veterinary certification, the timing and status of individual consignments, and the requirements of the respective importing countries,” De Klerk clarified.
The Deputy Chair stated that Meatco is therefore undertaking a reconciliation of consignments already dispatched or currently in the logistics chain.
Further to this, she said that at this stage, it is too early to determine the full financial impact on Meatco.
“The extent of any impact will depend principally on the duration of the control measures, the treatment of consignments already in transit and the timeframe within which livestock procurement, slaughter and access to export markets can resume. Management is assessing the operational and financial implications and will take appropriate measures to protect the business, its employees, producers, customers and other stakeholders,” De Klerk said.
PICTURED: Deputy Chairperson, Meat Corporation of Namibia Board, Ms Stephanie M. De Klerk. Photos: Meatco
