THE BOARD REQUESTS PRODUCERS TO SUBMIT THEIR ANIMAL HEALTH DECLARATION
The Directorate of Veterinary Services requires every producer to complete an Animal Health Declaration every six months. The Animal Health Declaration is an official document and must be submitted to the nearest veterinary office before 31 January 2025 for the period July 2024 to December 2024. The data collected through the submission of the Animal Health Declaration is used for animal disease control, for monitoring animal disease trends, as well as for mandatory reporting to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). Producers who fail to submit the declarations on time will have a restriction placed on their Stock Brand until the required documentation is submitted. The Livestock Products Board encourages producers to submit their declarations online via the NamLITS system. Declaration forms can also be downloaded from the LLPBN's website and are available at State Veterinarian offices. Producers submitting forms to State Veterinary Offices must insist on proof of receipt. If the form is submitted by email, it can be sent to Animal.Health@mawlr.gov.na with a request for an acknowledgment of receipt.
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS BOARD ADVISES PRODUCERS TO VACCINATE AGAINST LUMPY SKIN DISEASE:
On 13 February 2025, the Directorate of Veterinary Services made an urgent appeal to cattle producers to vaccinate their cattle against lumpy skin disease, given the widespread outbreak in the livestock farming sector. Lumpy skin disease is a highly infectious virus transmitted by biting insects. The Directorate of Veterinary Services has already vaccinated nearly 30,000 cattle and is in the process of obtaining further vaccines for additional campaigns. These campaigns target areas where the largest outbreaks occur. However, it is urged that cattle farmers begin vaccinating as soon as possible and report any suspected cases to the nearest state veterinarian office. With immediate effect, only cattle that have been vaccinated may be exported. From March 13, vaccination will also be a requirement for domestic movement and marketing from affected areas. The vaccination offers protection against the virus only after 21 days.
THE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS BOARD STARTS REGULATION OF NEW COMMODITIES: POULTRY AND POULTRY PRODUCTS, DAIRY AND HIDES AND SKINS.
Regulations for managing the new commodities were announced in the Government Gazette on 13 December 2024, for implementation on 13 January 2025, after extensive consultations with the respective industry. All sales, imports, and exports of poultry and poultry products, eggs and egg products, and milk and milk products are subject to the issuance of Livestock Products Board permits and the payment of a levy. The process went surprisingly well. The aim of managing the products is to grow the respective industries to ensure Namibia’s consumers a degree of self-sufficiency by reducing reliance on imported products. A telling example is when Namibia’s largest pork supplier country experienced outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. LLPBN is in the process of registering all poultry and dairy players in Namibia, and the process ends on March 15, 2025. For any inquiries, contact: Lallie Umati – 061-275885 or Ebber Kachana – 061-275855.
