Niël Terblanché
The Directorate of Veterinary Service, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, has recently announced significant changes to the import conditions for fresh and frozen pork products in Namibia.
According to Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Albertina Shilongo, the changes are specifically related to the control of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) amongst pigs and aim to safeguard the nation’s livestock and public health.
Effective immediately, importers of fresh or frozen pork products are advised that such imports must originate from countries declared as PRRS-free.
Additionally, the pork must come from zones within these countries that are also free from PRRS, as stipulated by Article 15.3.3 of the World Organisation for Animal Health.
In cases where a country is not entirely free from PRRS or lacks PRRS-free zones, importation will only be allowed when pigs from which raw pork is sourced must have been quarantined for a minimum of 37 days at a farm or facility that has been approved for export.
During the quarantine period, the pigs must undergo a blocking Elisa test using blood samples collected between day 10 and day 15. This testing is crucial to ensure the absence of PRRS.
Slaughtering of these pigs should be carried out in separate blocks to prevent any possible cross-contamination with animals from other sources.
It is essential to note that these conditions do not apply to direct transit under a veterinary direct transit permit.
Importers are further advised that any fresh or frozen pork meat imports that do not comply with these new regulations and PRRS requirements will be subject to rejection. Such non-compliant products will either be sent back to their country of origin or destroyed, with the associated costs borne by the importers.
However, it is important to highlight that these regulations do not affect the importation of meat products that are cooked or processed for commercial purposes. Such products may still be imported into Namibia, provided the importers obtain a valid veterinary import permit.
These new regulations signify Namibia’s commitment to ensuring the safety and health of its livestock industry and the general public. By imposing strict requirements on the import of fresh and frozen pork products, the Directorate of Veterinary Service aims to prevent the introduction and spread of PRRS in the country, further bolstering Namibia’s reputation for stringent food safety standards.
