EU farm inspections under pressure

Namibia’s access to key European Union (EU) livestock export markets has been placed under pressure after mandatory annual inspections of EU-approved farms were suspended earlier this year because the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) exhausted its operational budget for 2026/2027 for this service.

According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the inspections are a critical requirement for maintaining EU certification, which allows livestock producers to supply export-approved abattoirs and access lucrative international markets. 

Without timely inspections, certification can lapse, potentially preventing affected producers from slaughtering livestock at EU-approved facilities.

The Livestock Producers’ Organisation (LPO) has urgently raised the matter with relevant stakeholders, warning of the potential consequences for producers, abattoirs and Namibia’s broader export commitments.

Following discussions between organised agriculture, the DVS and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), a temporary arrangement has now been reached to prevent an immediate disruption to exports.

The NAU said that under the arrangement, producers requiring EU certification will, for a limited period, cover the travel and related costs of state veterinarians conducting the mandatory inspections. Payments will be channelled through the LLPBN.

The LLPBN is currently preparing a formal proposal to government, while guidance from the Treasury is still required to determine the appropriate financial framework for the arrangement.

However, stakeholders have stressed that the temporary solution cannot be regarded as a sustainable long-term answer to the funding challenges facing veterinary services.

According to the NAU, one option under consideration is the establishment of a dedicated Treasury account through which funds could be ring-fenced for essential DVS operational activities, including EU inspections. 

A broader animal health levy is also being considered as a possible mechanism to provide more predictable and sustainable funding for critical veterinary services.

NAU said that such a system could help ensure that Namibia maintains the animal health standards required by international markets while reducing the risk of future interruptions to certification and exports.

The current crisis has also highlighted the strategic importance of the DVS to Namibia’s economy. Veterinary services extend far beyond routine government administration. They are central to protecting animal health, safeguarding food security, supporting rural livelihoods and employment, and maintaining the country’s access to international markets.

For a livestock-producing country such as Namibia, the ability to meet international animal health requirements is directly linked to its export competitiveness. Any interruption to these services can therefore have consequences extending well beyond individual farms.

Government is consequently being urged to recognise the economic importance of the DVS and ensure that adequate funding is available for the Directorate to fulfil its statutory responsibilities.

The temporary arrangement should provide breathing room for producers and help safeguard exports in the short term. But the underlying funding problem remains unresolved.

The longer-term challenge is to establish a reliable and sustainable financing mechanism for essential veterinary services so that Namibia’s export markets—and the livelihoods and businesses that depend on them—are not placed at risk by recurring operational budget shortfalls.