Regulatory services of the NAB oversee the development and implementation of a responsive regulatory framework to ensure a sustainable crop industry in in Namibia. In this regard, the service provision under this function entails the development of crop specific marketing quality standards, food safety, and traceability regulations and the law enforcement thereof in accordance with the Agronomic Industry Act (Act No. 20 of 1992).

As part of the regulatory service provision, two important inspection activities are executed, namely Border Control Inspections and Farms and Facilities Inspections. The NAB has a competent staff complement to conduct Border Control Inspections at every border of entry/exit into Namibia. This is necessary to implement the local marketing mechanisms for agronomy and horticulture products that involves border closure periods for certain products during certain times of a year when there is sufficient local supply. Border control inspections are equally important to ensure that produce imported into or exported out of Namibia are safe for human consumption and of an acceptable marketing quality. Several Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) are being sought with our neighbouring and overseas export markets to ensure market access for our local produce through a harmonized regulatory framework in terms of regulatory standards and food safety inspection and verification systems.

To implement the Farms and Facilities Inspection activities, the NAB has equally competent inspectors at strategic locations throughout the country. The activity involves the development and implementation of our own minimum standard – the local G.A.P system (Good Agricultural Practices) that is built on a solid foundation of food safety, quality, hygiene and traceability components. Farms and facilities inspections are executed to audit and verify compliance with the local G.A.P minimum standard at farm level (packhouses), while at the same time ensuring that wholesalers/traders facilities and retail outlets are in adherence to regulations pertaining to HACCP food safety certification as well as labelling and traceability requirements.