Fish products were the only meat to get the go ahead, with China dissatisfied with the quality of other Namibian meat. However, another team of experts is to be sent to Namibia this year for further investigations, reports NewEra.
“The team that came to Namibia did a very good investigation and gave a very good report to the Chinese government. The good news is that, for this year, Namibian fishmeal can enter the Chinese market,” Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Xin Shunkang told the newspaper. He added that it has been his mission “since I came to Namibia six months ago to ensure trade relations, especially in fish and meat products, between the two countries.
“I will focus on this and ensure there are good results,” the ambassador said. The Chinese delegation from AQSIQ paid a courtesy call on Agriculture, Water and Forestry Minister John Mutorwa on August 20 last year, and spent two weeks in the country. A team of beef experts visited the Okahandja abattoir, Oshakati abattoir, Meatco and other industry role players such as the Meat Board of Namibia.
The team of Chinese fishery experts visited fish processing facilities in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. The delegation’s visit to Namibia came after Namibia and China signed an agreement on animal health and quarantine in 2011, in order to facilitate trade in meat, fish and other aquatic animals and their products.
