Timber transport ban lifted

The agriculture and environment ministries have announced that the ban on timber transportation in the country has been lifted. Agriculture executive director Percy Misika said since the beginning of April there has been a moratorium on both the harvesting and transportation of timber in the country. “The said moratorium was triggered by an increase in illegal timber harvesting activities in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions, as well as the Zambezi Region,” he said.Misika said it was also observed that provisions of the Environmental Management Act were not adequately taken into consideration when the agriculture ministry authorised harvesting. “After a thorough consultation with different stakeholders, it was agreed to authorise the timber that was already harvested in the abovementioned regions to be transported to any wood factory in the country.”Misika said it was also agreed that timber transportation should take place, but that several conditions should apply. These include that no fresh trees should be harvested and that all logs must be loaded in the presence of agriculture and environment officials. It was also agreed that officials from the two ministries may be supported by law-enforcement agencies, including the police.“The forestry officials will inspect any wood factory to obtain any required information from such an institution,” said Misika. He added that no unprocessed timber shall be exported from Namibia, while timber processed to the final stage of use may be exported under an export licence issued by forestry officials. “Timber coming from other countries may be allowed to be processed in Namibia or to be in transit through Namibia, and this is to be done with close supervision of the forestry and other relevant authorities, like customs and the environment ministry.”Environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said they don't believe there will be a flare-up in illegal harvesting activities due to the lifting of the transport moratorium. “The measures will be sufficient to halt the illegal harvesting of timber. However, these illegal activities will still be looked out for by the relevant officials and authorities, and we urge the public to report any illegal harvesting of timber.”Muyunda also stressed that officials will verify whether the timber being transported had been cut recently and the police are still on alert to check and verify all the necessary documentation and permits, to ensure no illegal transportation takes place. ellanie@namibiansun.com ELLANIE SMIT

Timber transport ban lifted

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Namibian Sun 2026-08-26

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Timber transport ban lifted

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Namibian Sun 2026-08-26

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