Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has announced that 10 of 18 special controlled horticultural products will be closed for importation from 1 to 31 December.
This is in line with the Agronomic Industry Act and the Namibian Horticulture Market Share Promotion (MSP) Scheme rules and regulations.
It is also an indication that local farmers are producing enough horticultural products on the ban list to supply the market for the month.
According to a notice to all horticulture traders issued by NAB chief executive officer (CEO) Fidelis Mwazi on 23 November, Namibia’s borders will be closed for all types and sizes of beetroot, cabbage, carrot, coloured pepper, green pepper, round jam tomato, water melon, sweet melon, lettuce (iceberg) and spinach, except for exclusions.
The closure of the borders to these products is also meant to protect local producers from cheap imports, which may result in a glut of horticultural products which are perishable.
This could also result in farmers incurring losses, stifling the local industry’s growth.
Sweet potato and sweetcorn are the only crops which may be imported on a pro-rata basis.
Mwazi said traders may only import 50% of all types and sizes of these two crops in December.
“Butternut and English cucumber are open for importation without restriction, but the 47% market-share promotion (MSP) applies until 15 December,” he said.
However, gem squash, onion, washed potato and pumpkin are open for importation without restriction, except for the 47% MSP, said the statement.
It also said the notice is subject to changes, and traders will be notified accordingly.
Border controls are undertaken by the NAB Border Control Inspectorate to monitor all Namibian borders to regulate the movement of agronomic and horticultural products into and out of the country.
The purpose therefore is to implement the local marketing mechanisms for agronomy and horticultural crops in respect of border closure and/or the restriction of imports of certain products.
It is also to safeguard the consumer – both in Namibia and in export markets – from products that may be of substandard quality and food safety risks.
The NAB manages the following borders of entry/exit into Namibia: Noordoewer, Ariamsvlei, Buitepos, Muhembo, Ngoma, Wenela, Katwitwi, Oshikango, Omahenene, and Walvis Bay.
This is in line with the Agronomic Industry Act and the Namibian Horticulture Market Share Promotion (MSP) Scheme rules and regulations.
It is also an indication that local farmers are producing enough horticultural products on the ban list to supply the market for the month.
According to a notice to all horticulture traders issued by NAB chief executive officer (CEO) Fidelis Mwazi on 23 November, Namibia’s borders will be closed for all types and sizes of beetroot, cabbage, carrot, coloured pepper, green pepper, round jam tomato, water melon, sweet melon, lettuce (iceberg) and spinach, except for exclusions.
The closure of the borders to these products is also meant to protect local producers from cheap imports, which may result in a glut of horticultural products which are perishable.
This could also result in farmers incurring losses, stifling the local industry’s growth.
Sweet potato and sweetcorn are the only crops which may be imported on a pro-rata basis.
Mwazi said traders may only import 50% of all types and sizes of these two crops in December.
“Butternut and English cucumber are open for importation without restriction, but the 47% market-share promotion (MSP) applies until 15 December,” he said.
However, gem squash, onion, washed potato and pumpkin are open for importation without restriction, except for the 47% MSP, said the statement.
It also said the notice is subject to changes, and traders will be notified accordingly.
Border controls are undertaken by the NAB Border Control Inspectorate to monitor all Namibian borders to regulate the movement of agronomic and horticultural products into and out of the country.
The purpose therefore is to implement the local marketing mechanisms for agronomy and horticultural crops in respect of border closure and/or the restriction of imports of certain products.
It is also to safeguard the consumer – both in Namibia and in export markets – from products that may be of substandard quality and food safety risks.
The NAB manages the following borders of entry/exit into Namibia: Noordoewer, Ariamsvlei, Buitepos, Muhembo, Ngoma, Wenela, Katwitwi, Oshikango, Omahenene, and Walvis Bay.
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