The joint delegation highlighted the importance of Norwegian market for Botswana and Namibia beef and other meat products, and negotiated for continued market access. An agreement was reached to maintain the current special GSP quotas for boneless meat and lamb or sheep for 2013, with a view to negotiate such quotas under the agricultural agreement between Norway and SACU. Furthermore there is an opportunity for the two countries to export game meat and products to Norway.
Botswana and Namibia export beef of the highest quality to the EU and Norway through the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) and Meatco, respectively. The meat is derived from cattle raised and grazed on natural pastures with no use of hormones or other growth promotions. This ensures that customers receive a product that is consistent and of the highest eating quality. One of the major importers of beef in Norway is currently working with the two meat companies in Botswana and Namibia, in improving the packaging and labelling of their products for the international consumer.
About the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC)
The BMC was established in December 1965 by an act of parliament to promote the development of the country’s beef and related beef products globally. As a result, the BMC has made significant contribution to the development of the country over the years. In the early years of Botswana’s development as an independent nation, beef export was the only foreign exchange earner and though it has been surpassed by diamonds, beef remains important to the economy as it has different impact on the rural population who rely on farming for their livelihood. For more on the BMC visit www.bmc.bw.
