Namibia halts poultry imports from 10 European countries

Namibia has halted the importation of live poultry from 10 countries on Following outbreaks of bird flu in Europe.

This was found in a statement by the Directorate of Veterinary Services on Friday.

The suspension affects imports from the Netherlands, Germany, Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, Sweden and France.

Cooked poultry meat products for commercial purposes may be imported under a veterinary permit, it said.

A chief veterinary officer, Dr Albertina Shilongo said Imports of live ostrich and raw ostrich products will also be suspended.

The southern African nation consumes an estimated 2,500 tonnes of chicken monthly, relying on imports, mainly from neighbouring South Africa, to meet demand.

Thousands of chickens and other poultry birds have been culled as bird flu has spread across Europe.