P. J. Strydom

General Manager

Cattle 171 000 weaners (8 month; 180 – 240kg) South African feedlots 115 000 steers – EU export abattoirs (Meatco & Witvlei)

Small stock 190 000 sheep – South Africa (informal market) 270 000 goats – South Africa Kwazulu-Natal (ceremonial market)

Beef 9 400 tons – South Africa (Woolworths, Steers) 9 500 tons – EU (UK, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands)

Lamb 850 000 carcasses – South Africa (Checkers, Pick.n Pay, Spar) ? (500) tons - Norway

Springbuck ? (90) Tons - Norway

PERFORMANCE OF NAMIBIAN MEAT INDUSTRY

-Export orientated - 85% (N$1.6 billion)

Challenges impeding SADC tradeCost of importing country and consumer complianceTrade agreements – improving trade? Poor animal disease control and

husbandryLack of marketing infrastructure

and informationLack of harmonized government

policy and strategiesCultural practices linked to ownership

Compliance to SPS requirements (1)Set by importing country & consumers Costly to small economy countries:

Meat hygiene and abattoir facilitiesEstablishment of disease-free zones & fencing

Namibia has 3 and Botswana 17 veterinary zones Implementation of quality assurance schemes, e.g. FANMeat (Namibia)Enactment of legislation;

Prohibition of hormonal substances, routine

antibiotics supplements & animal by-products

Compliance to SPS requirements (2)• However: additional importing country standards:

• Maturation and de-boning • BSE surveillance• Animal welfare

• Private standards of retailers more strict• Responsibility of certification by competent

authority• Consumer safety, traceability, bio-safety, meat quality• With limited finances & capacity

• Compliance cost mainly upon meat • industries themselves• Exports to EU comply with standards

Volume and value of EU meat imports from Namibia (top) and Botswana (bottom)

Namibia’s exports to the EU and South Africa (in 2000 prices)

Source ODI

Trade advantages

Trade dilemmas Maintaining and improving market access (EFTA, USA, SACU)Finalisation EU market access

Namibia could loose 30.76 € million per annum “Nullify” EU & Namibia investments Job losses (direct - 203) Socio-economic consequences (affecting160 000 farmers) Equivalent to tariff increases of 72% for Botswana and 63% for Namibia

USA Namibia concluded APHIS inspection & received certification Awaits FSIS audit in due course

EFTA Increased quota to NorwayEU beef exports competing directly with small-scale producers

What is holding back the SADC livestock sector?

• International standards & animal disease status

•Difficult with free roaming game

• Rudimentary networks and trading skills• Limited negotiating power and capacity

•Capacity to negotiate with more capacitated countries

•Mediocre livestock support services

What should SADC do?• SADC governments should play a more prominent and coherent role!

•in utilizing livestock resource base

• Adoption of a commodity-based approach to SPS certification (based on OIE rules)• Rethinking new approached to product certification

•Without increasing importing country SPS risk

• Engaged in market and product diversification •Free range, Farm Assured Namibian Meat, Country reared

• Aid for Trade might cover cost of compliance• Industry’s contributing e.g. a levy (Namibia)

• Mentorship program • Equal animal health status

I thank you for your attention

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