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Ministry lifts ban on SA maize imports

The agriculture ministry has lifted the ban on the importation of maize, maize products, palm and palm products from South Africa, as well as those products in transit.

This was shared in a statement issued this week by the executive director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, who said this follows extensive research regarding the detection of bud rot of palms and Goss’s wilt – a bacterial disease affecting corn plants – on maize in South Africa.

“Research conducted and ongoing monitoring revealed that Goss’s wilt primarily affects maize seed rather than the grain. Similarly, measures related to bud rot in palms will be adjusted accordingly,” said Nghituwamata.

She added that while the ban, which was imposed on 22 January, has been lifted, the ministry advises caution in the importation of these plant and plant products to prevent the introduction of harmful plant diseases to Namibia.

“Importers should avoid the movement of potentially affected materials to reduce the risk of introducing these bacteria into the country.

“As part of this revision, the ministry will update the phytosanitary (relating to the control of agricultural plant diseases) import requirements for these products,” she said.

The executive director encouraged producers, importers and members of the public to follow all guidelines to mitigate risks associated with the introduction of these bacterial diseases.

“All previously issued permits, as well as new permit applications, will be reinstated immediately and the ministry will continue its research and monitoring efforts in incorporating preventive measures of Goss’s wilt and bud rot into Namibia’s phytosanitary protocols, as part of a broader preventive measure of the Plant Quarantine Act of 2008,” Nghituwamata said.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na

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