Ban on Brazilian poultry imports partially lifted
Justicia Shipena
The Ministry of Agriculture, through its Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), has announced a partial resumption of the importation and in-transit movement of live poultry, poultry meat, and poultry products from Brazil.
This move follows a review of a comprehensive report from Brazil’s veterinary authority on the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) transmission.
Last Friday, Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry updated the list of countries that have imposed restrictions on chicken trade with Brazil after confirming its first case of bird flu on a commercial farm.
The countries include China, the European Union, Mexico, Iraq, Chile, the Philippines, South Africa, Jordan, Peru, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Malaysia, Argentina, Timor-Leste, Morocco, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Albania, Namibia, and India.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild birds.
It causes significant losses in the poultry industry, harms farmers’ livelihoods, disrupts international trade, and threatens wild bird populations.
Dr. Johannes Shoopala, acting Chief Veterinary Officer, said the suspension now applies only to the State of Rio Grande Do Sul.
He added that poultry meat, fresh, frozen, or chilled, originating from this state and packaged on or before 13 April 2025, will be allowed entry into Namibia.
Importers must apply for new import permits through the veterinary import office.
“DVS is monitoring the disease situation and will update the importers accordingly,” Shoopala said.
The DVS confirmed that previous Veterinary Public Notifications Nos. 11 and 12 of 2025 are repealed.
Imports from HPAI-free states in Brazil remain unaffected and continue as normal, he noted,
In August last year, Namibia banned the importation and in-transit movement of live poultry, birds, and poultry products from Rio Grande Do Sul due to an outbreak of Newcastle disease in southern America. Rio Grande Do Sul borders Argentina and Uruguay.
Newcastle disease affects poultry but is not transmitted to humans. It causes respiratory problems in birds and can lead to death.
At that time, Namibia revoked all in-transit permits previously issued for Rio Grande Do Sul.
In June 2024, Brazil voluntarily halted poultry exports to some countries after Newcastle disease was detected in the state, following the death of 7 000 birds on a chicken farm.
