Namibia's government is currently investigating reports of a Namibian meat shipment being returned from Europe following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the //Kharas Region. The issue was raised in the National Assembly by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani, who stated that a shipment worth approximately N$400 million was on its way to Europe.
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani said in parliament that the ministry is negotiating and facilitating trade in animal and animal products where requirements can be met. She did not confirm the value of the shipment or whether it had been returned. Zaamwani emphasized that the government first needs to establish where the meat originated and whether it came from an area affected by FMD.
The determination of the meat's origin will be crucial in discussions with importing countries, as their veterinary and food-safety requirements will ultimately determine whether a consignment can enter their markets. Zaamwani stated that the government has already started engaging trading partners about the outbreak and the movement of animal products.
The government has detected FMD on five farms, but the disease remains localized to the Karasburg Veterinary District in //Kharas. Livestock that had moved from an infected establishment to Otjozondjupa before the outbreak was detected were traced and tested, with the herd cleared after testing negative.
According to the minister, traceability and inspections have found no evidence of transmission risk north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence. As a result, restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products within areas north of the fence have been lifted, although specified movements from the south to the north remain restricted.
The partial lifting of restrictions allows processed animal products to move countrywide, while slaughter is permitted at abattoirs that meet veterinary requirements and source animals from approved feedlot or quarantine facilities. Zaamwani highlighted that Namibia's NamLITS traceability system has been central to the response, enabling veterinary authorities to trace animals and identify possible epidemiological links.
However, Zaamwani warned that the response to the outbreak is putting pressure on veterinary resources, requiring surveillance, field inspections, laboratory testing, livestock tracing, movement control, and additional biosecurity measures. The government is expected to reprioritise resources or provide additional funding where necessary to effectively manage the situation.
Key points
- The Namibian government is negotiating with trading partners to facilitate trade in animal and animal products amid the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
- The outbreak has been localized to the Karasburg Veterinary District in //Kharas, with five farms affected.
- The government has lifted restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products within areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
