The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani informed the National Assembly that the government is consulting with relevant trading partners, including Brazil and the European Union, regarding affected meat shipments.

This follows a question raised by PDM Leader McHenry Venaani about whether the reported N$400 million shipment of Namibian beef destined for the European market was returned to Namibia due to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak

"Now, Honourable Minister, we have heard, the reason why we are asking this question is because the government has not made this whole FMD clear to Parliament. We have heard that there is a shipment of meat that was en route to the shores of Europe worth N$400 million. I do not know whether it belongs to Savannah Beef or to MeatCo. But I was made to understand through the grapevine that I want you to confirm whether it is true."

Minister Zaamwani explained that the export of the meat will depend on Namibia's traceability system establishing whether the meat originated from an FMD-affected area and on the import requirements of the respective countries.

"I spoke to our ambassador in Brazil this morning. I'm due to meet with the EU ambassador later in the week. And of course, we have to officially notify the World Organization on Animal Health. And that will then determine whether those containers can go. As long as our traceability system is able to trace specifically where that meat came from and whether that area is any of the affected areas or not, we have a chance that they could be allowed to go. But it depends on the jurisdiction of other countries and the requirements."

The minister said she will deliver a ministerial statement on Wednesday around the issue.