Botswana government has temporarily lifted its moratorium on live exports and Namibian abattoirs are set to take advantage of it.
Namibia is recovering from a crippling drought that began in 2013, and the industry is focusing on herd rebuilding thanks to the recent rains.
The sharp drop in marketing numbers demonstrates the drought’s widespread effects. Formal slaughtering has the greatest effect, forcing abattoirs to seek alternate sources of supply.
According to the Meat Board of Namibia, Botswana was identified as such a source due to their similar environmental conditions and a Foot-and-mouth disease-free zone to that of Namibia.
“However, only male animals may be imported from Botswana’s free Foot and Mouth Disease Zone subject to strict import requirements of the Namibian Directorate Veterinary Services,” the Meat Board stated.
From a preliminary application of a total of 1,904 cattle, 1,389 cattle have already been imported for slaughter at the local abattoirs, the Meat Board said.
