WINDHOEK, Aug 16 (Reuters) – Namibia has resumed imports of live poultry and birds from South Africa, the agriculture ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Namibia banned imports of live poultry, birds and poultry products from neighbouring South Africa in September 2023, following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country.

Namibia consumes an estimated 2,500 metric tons of chicken every month, typically relying on imports mainly from South Africa.

The ministry also said it had suspended imports of live birds and uncooked poultry products from Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state following an outbreak of the avian Newcastle disease.

Consignments containing poultry products from the state packed in their final packaging on or after June 18, the date of suspension, will be sent back or destroyed at the importer’s cost, Namibia’s agriculture ministry said.

(Reporting by Nyasha Nyaungwa; Editing by Tannur Anders, Kirsten Donovan)