Namibia has introduced stringent new regulations for the import and export of dairy and poultry products, requiring permits for all transactions. The move, implemented under the Livestock and Livestock Products Amendment Act, aims to bolster oversight and promote the interests of the local livestock industry.
Effective from January 13, 2025, the legislation designates dairy products, poultry, poultry meat, poultry eggs, sheep and goat skins, and bovine animal hides as “controlled products.” This means that any import or export of these goods without a permit from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) is now prohibited.
Ace Mutelo, spokesperson for the LLPBN, explained that the new rules also introduce general and special levies on these controlled products. “These levies enable the board to execute its mandate of promoting the interests of the livestock and livestock products industry in Namibia and elsewhere,” he stated, countering concerns that the levies would inflate producer costs.
Mutelo likened the levies to income tax, emphasizing that they are charged on the producer’s income, which is assumed to reflect production costs. He assured that the board had conducted extensive consultations during the drafting phase, minimizing potential resistance.
The registration process for producers and facilities involved in the value chains of these commodities commenced simultaneously with the act’s implementation. “A significant number of people and facilities have already been registered,” Mutelo reported, adding that regional campaigns are underway to assist producers with the process.
Registration is deemed crucial for data collection, industry planning, and fostering an inclusive livestock sector. Once registered, individuals and businesses can apply for the necessary import or export permits.
To facilitate border crossings, the LLPBN has deployed officers to all border posts. These officers will verify documentation and conduct spot inspections of consignments.
Mutelo clarified that there is no threshold regarding enterprise size for registration. “A ‘producer’ is any person concerned in the production, manufacture, processing, importing or exporting [of] such controlled products,” he explained, urging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to register.
“Registration ensures they are noticed, get represented in the governing of the industry, their interests are taken on board, their challenges receive consideration in planning, and they are part of any industry growth trajectory,” he concluded.
The new regulations signal a significant shift in Namibia’s trade landscape, with the government aiming to exert greater control over the movement of key agricultural products.
