Namibia has called for the immediate suspension of poultry imports from South Africa, after the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development confirmed the outbreak of “highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)” in South Africa.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Agriculture Ministry in Namibia said the suspension takes immediate effect until further notice.
South Africa is presently dealing with a dangerous bird flu outbreak; the country’s largest in its history. Not less than 1.4-million chickens have died or been culled.
“Based on these reported figures, there has been a total loss of 1,426,226 chickens,” the Department said.
Meanwhile, the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) on Wednesday, raised alarm on possible chicken meat price hikes and shortages in supply due to the present bird flu outbreak and the ones in previous months.
Namibians consume around 2,500 tonnes of chicken each month, and about 40, 000 per year. The country imports most of its poultry meat from South Africa possibly due to proximity.
