The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has urged the Namibian government to provide emergency funding to combat the current foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. IPC shadow minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Michael Mulunga made the call in a statement on Saturday. The party welcomes the update provided by acting agriculture minister Charles Mubita on the outbreak. Mulunga emphasized the need for immediate action to contain the spread of FMD.
According to the update provided by Mubita, surveillance results show that 17 of 199 samples tested positive for FMD. All positive cases are confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District. The samples were collected from various regions, including ||Kharas, Khomas, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, and Oshana. A total of 117 samples were collected from Karasburg, 50 from Gobabis, 30 from Otjiwarongo, and one each from Windhoek and Ondangwa.
The government has activated its FMD contingency plan and imposed movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products. Mubita stated that these restrictions would be eased in certain areas once surveillance results are available and the outbreak's extent has been assessed. The IPC urges farmers and the public to comply with veterinary measures, including obtaining permits before moving animals, reporting suspected cases, and following biosecurity protocols.
Mulunga stressed the importance of cooperation in containing the outbreak, stating that every farmer who follows the rules brings Namibia one step closer to lifting restrictions and returning to normal trade. The IPC believes the outbreak should be treated as a national emergency. The party is calling on the government to urgently cull all animals on the infected farm and compensate affected farmers in accordance with Section 30 of the Animal Health Act.
The government confirmed the FMD outbreak on a commercial farm in the Karasburg State Veterinary District on 22 September. Initial laboratory tests found 10 of 11 samples from a herd of 65 cattle positive for the virus. The IPC welcomes the government's efforts but emphasizes the need for emergency funding to effectively combat the outbreak.
Further surveillance is underway to guide decisions on easing restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products. The government aims to assess the outbreak's extent and determine the best course of action. In the meantime, the IPC continues to urge farmers and the public to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of FMD.
The IPC's call for emergency funding and urgent action aims to mitigate the impact of the FMD outbreak on Namibia's agricultural sector. The party's efforts focus on containing the outbreak, supporting affected farmers, and restoring normal trade activities.
Key points
- The IPC calls for emergency funding to contain the FMD outbreak and compensate affected farmers.
- The government has activated its FMD contingency plan and imposed movement restrictions.
- The IPC urges farmers and the public to comply with veterinary measures to prevent the spread of FMD.
