Cross-border smuggling of agronomy and horticulture products involves the illegal transport and trade of agricultural goods including; crops, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and other plant products, across national boundaries. A phenomenon that is common to all countries, yet devastating and associated with negative consequences.
The practice of cross-border smuggling of agronomy and horticulture products can have a negative economic, environmental and regulatory impacts. This is simply because smuggled products can fosters informal and illegal trade.
In terms of the Agronomic Industry Act 20 of 1992, the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has documented rules and procedures which apply to the importation, exportation, and transit of horticultural products into the country. However, with smuggled agronomic products, it makes it an uphill battle if not impossible to document them. According to Esegiel Serongwe, Manager for Border Control Inspectorate at the NAB smuggled agricultural products can disrupt local markets by introducing goods at lower prices which affects local farmers and legal businesses.
The influx of illegal goods can lead to unpredictable price changes, affecting both producers and consumers. This also affects the NAB as a regulatory body that accurately reports on the import statistics. Serongwe has emphasised that smuggled agronomic products may bypass phytosanitary controls, introducing pests, diseases, or invasive species that can devastate local ecosystems and the agricultural sector. He further added that smuggled products such as unauthorised seeds and plant materials can contaminate local plant varieties, impacting biodiversity and agricultural sustainability, and often do not comply with local safety, quality and health standards posing a great danger to consumers.
He cautioned the public to refrain from the practice of cross-border smuggling of agronomic products and encouraged them to report any suspicious activities of illegal importation, smuggling and processing of products and trading in agronomic and horticulture products by anonymously reporting to the NAB at 061-379500 and/or Nabdesk@nab.com.na or PRO@nab.com.na. There is also an SMS line to which information can be reported – 79500 (sms costs N$ 0.40)
The public is advised to always seek clarity and request for information from the NAB on import and trade of agronomic and horticultural products in the country.
Esegiel Serongwe Manager: Border Control Inspectorate
He cautioned the public to refrain from practicing cross-border smuggling of agronomic products as it disrupts local markets by introducing goods at lower prices which affects local farmers and legal businesses.
