Namib Poultry products safe

Namib Poultry Industries has assured its consumers that its chicken meat produced locally in Namibia is safe for human consumption.

This follows the outbreak of bird flu (H5N8) in South Africa, after which Namibia suspended the importation and in-transit movements of live poultry, birds, poultry products, ostriches and ostrich products from South Africa and Belgium on 27 June.

Poultry producers in Namibia have since expressed concern with regards to the borders remaining closed for poultry imports for more than a month.

In a press release, Namib Poultry said that no cases of bird flu have been reported in Namibia

“Namib Poultry Industries aims to continuously deliver the freshest chicken to our suppliers and all other stakeholders. Our product is a proudly Namibian product and is manufactured and produced locally in Namibia.”

The release further stated that the bird flu outbreak in South Africa is not known to have any negative effect on people.

“As a company we would like to ensure all consumers that our chicken meat produced locally in Namibia at Namib Poultry should be regarded as safe for human consumption,” it said.

According to the statement the particular strain of the virus, H5N8, which was isolated in chickens in Mpumalanga, South Africa, poses no threat to humans and is not the same deadly strain as was isolated in Asian countries in the past.

“It is however lethal to chickens and has a 100% mortality rate. For the safeguarding of the industry in Namibia it is imperative that all role players in the industry and the general public work together to prevent the disease from entering Namibia.”

The company said fast reaction can help to isolate outbreaks as quick as possible and urged all producers of chicken and other poultry to make sure that certain safety measures are applied immediately.

These include the implementation of strict biosafety measures in all production units.

The disease is most likely spread via wild birds, therefore poultry producers are urged to prevent any contact with any wild avian species and keep chickens indoors.

Open water sources are also a serious risk as it is contaminated by wild migratory birds that are the carriers of the disease and it is essential that any sudden rise in mortalities of any avian species should be reported to the relevant authorities.

This can be reported the relevant authorities or to Louis Kleynhans from Namib Poultry Industries at 081 143 2324.

Kleynhans will assure that the relevant state officials are informed of the reported cases in order to contain and prevent the spreading of the disease.

“When it comes to Namib Poultry Industries chicken products, Real Good and Nam Chicken customers can rest assure that Namib Poultries chicken is 100% safe for consumption; we ensure chemically free, organic processing, thereby ensuring optimum freshness.”

Meanwhile Namibian poultry producers have been urged to produce more poultry to fill the gap created by the indefinite suspension of poultry products from South Africa.

According to Nampa Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Milton Maseke said the suspension of poultry from South Africa is an opportunity for local poultry producers to assist the industry.

“It is really a matter of our local producers responding to the challenges in terms of low amounts of poultry; but also our importers diversifying their sources of poultry to start importing from free countries.”

Maseke said the country would be affected by poultry shortages in the short-term, however, there is sufficient poultry on the international market that can be sourced and traded or used in Namibia in the long-term.

STAFF REPORTER