No donkey abattoirs in Nam

Plans for a donkey abattoir at Okahandja with a slaughter rate of 100 animals a day were quashed after the environment ministry rejected an environmental clearance application, citing concerns for the species' survival if exposed to commercial slaughter.This follows the cancellation in February of a planned donkey abattoir at Outjo, where around 70 donkeys were planned to be killed each day. That project folded after a study indicated a high risk that Namibia's donkey population could be obliterated at the proposed off-take rates. Following a review of the proposed Okahandja abattoir, the ministry of environment and tourism in April informed Agrinature Investment and Trade that that commercial slaughter of donkeys would result in significant risks to the species' ecological existence and socio-economic value.The ministry said the review uncovered “numerous uncertainties relating to the species' existence, which in turn limits the proposed project's sustainability.”The ministry's concerns are similar to findings from a scoping study undertaken by Quivertree Consulting last year on behalf of Fu Hai Trading Enterprises, the company that had planned to start a donkey abattoir at Outjo. That study found that “the resource is limited and there is no accurate census data or research on their natural breeding rates and population changes. This indicates a risk that the project could lead to the unsustainable off-take of donkeys, which would decimate the natural population,” Quivertree Consulting's Svenja Garrard informed the public in February.Wiping out the species would in turn have a “detrimental impact on the livelihoods of poor communities, in particular those of women and children,” Quivertree Consulting found. Quivertree Consulting concluded “that it would be negligent to recommend that the project receive approval until more accurate data had been obtained.”Alex Mayers of the Donkey Sanctuary in the United Kingdom, who visited Namibia last year to warn against the risks of the donkey skin trade, yesterday told Namibian Sun that the ministry should be applauded for its “responsible, evidence-based and professional response to the issue, and for resolutely closing the door to this trade before any damage is done.”He added that the Donkey Sanctuary had seen “the horrendous effects of the donkey skin trade, including issues of animal welfare, livelihoods, pollution, biosecurity, unsustainable utilisation, thefts, high water use and links to illegal wildlife crime, and we were gravely concerned that Namibia would face the same issues.” Data firstIn February, Quivertree Consulting issued a list of recommendations that could address concerns around the trade in Namibia.They emphasised the need for an independent donkey census before commercial slaughter was allowed. Secondly, research should be conducted into prices to incentivise the breeding of donkeys for slaughter.Lastly, the data from these studies should be used to determine whether the socio-economic risks could be mitigated.It was also proposed that the government should consider issuing an annual quota similar to the fishing industry. New ivoryNews about the planned donkey abattoirs last year created widespread debate on the issue and intensified focus on the high demand for donkey skins in China, which has led to a thriving donkey skin market.Some have warned that “donkey skins are the new ivory”.Donkey skins are processed in China to produce 'ejiao', which is used as a traditional medicine. The meat is also considered a delicacy.Critics of the trade have warned that due to low availability of donkeys in China, demand has fuelled international trade, and in turn, a thriving black market. The global trade has raised serious concerns about donkey welfare and the livelihood of rural communities.Namibian Sun was informed that no other donkey abattoir proposals have been submitted.JANA-MARI SMITH

No donkey abattoirs in Nam

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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No donkey abattoirs in Nam

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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