New Ziana.

Some retailers have reportedly made threatening calls to officials following Government’s ban on meat imports from South Africa, a Cabinet minister said last Friday.

In an interview with New Ziana, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made said the ban would remain in place despite the threats to veterinary officers who issue the import permits.

Government banned recently the imports following an outbreak of Rift Valley fever in South Africa.

Minister Made said: "Some senior officers in the veterinary department have been threatened by a local company and one in South Africa."

He, however, refused to name the companies implicated but said a police report had been made.

Police on Friday confirmed receiving such a report from the ministry and said they were carrying out investigations.

Minister Made said meat import permits issued in the last six months would be reviewed owing to irregularities in the process.

"From this position, we are left with no option but to investigate all permits issued in the past six months.

"This will be necessary to see that all regulations governing meat imports are adhered to.

"If anyone wishes to apply we will no longer accept applications brought by persons, they should all be in writing," he said.

Minister Made said the ministry would not entertain physical submissions of application letters.

He said Government was working closely with South African officials to facilitate waiver of the ban.

"From the sixth report from South Africa, authorities are giving us all necessary information to review the ban.

"The veterinary department is also advising us on the matter."

He urged all veterinary officers stationed at border posts to report any threats to the police. — New Ziana.