Meatco says its Okahandja abattoir has been temporarily closed due to the low influx of cattle and the current water crisis in Namibia. In its newsletter, the company says the abattoir will remain closed until the situation changes or improves. It says the closure is one of the measures Meatco has taken to maximise returns for producers, whom it will notify once operations at the plant resume. The Windhoek and Okahandja abattoirs produce the bulk of the nearly 28 000 tonnes of beef that the company produces. The abattoirs have European Union export status and are subject to regular inspections. Both export abattoirs are also certified by the British Retail Consortium which certifies food safety and quality systems. Nampa reports that Okahandja abattoir operated at full capacity between August last year and January this year. Meatco says it is constantly adapting to meet the City of Windhoek’s proposed water saving targets.