Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA has suspended the import and in transit movement of live poultry, birds, raw or uncooked poultry products, live ostriches and raw ostrich products from Germany and the Netherlands due to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
State Veterinarian, Dr. Albertina Shilongo, said that the suspension is effective immediately. She added that since the incubation period of the disease is 21 days as set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (01E), the suspension takes effect 21 days prior to the date of start of the event.
“Thus, consignments containing poultry products packed in their final packaging on or after the date of start of suspension will be rejected and send back to the country of origin or destroyed at the importer’s cost. Please note that a reefer container will be regarded as a consignment, and will be handled as an entity. We will not allow cartons, such as in case of chicken meat, to be sorted according to date of production,“ Dr. Shilongo explained.
She added that all previously issued import and in transit permits are cancelled and recalled with immediate effect. Cooked poultry meat products for commercial purposes may still be imported into Namibia under the veterinary import permit.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
