The Namibian veterinary services have issued a warning that the smuggling of meat from affected areas could lead to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across the country. Chief veterinary officer Kenneth Shoombe stated that some individuals are taking advantage of meat shortages by illegally slaughtering animals on farms and transporting carcasses to towns. This has raised concerns about the potential for the disease to spread and threaten the livestock industry.
According to Shoombe, the illegal movement of meat could undermine efforts to contain the outbreak. He emphasized that such activities could reverse progress made so far and put the national food safety at risk. Shoombe urged Namibians to follow veterinary regulations and work with state veterinarians and other stakeholders to prevent the disease from spreading. He also called on communities to educate family members about the dangers of illegally slaughtering animals and transporting meat during the outbreak.
The FMD outbreak was detected in Namibia last month, prompting the government to impose restrictions on slaughtering. Shoombe warned that a nationwide outbreak could have severe consequences for the livestock industry, including the collapse of the farming system. He noted that farmers might struggle to repay bank loans if they are unable to sell their livestock due to the outbreak.
The police have made several arrests in connection with the smuggling of meat during the FMD outbreak. A 35-year-old man was arrested at a roadblock on the C20 road near Stampriet for transporting 6.1kg of raw kudu meat from his farm in the Gobabis district to another farm in the Hardap region. He was charged and issued a N$500 admission-of-guilt fine. In a separate incident, a 27-year-old man was arrested in possession of suspected stolen livestock meat.
The arrests are part of a broader effort to enforce regulations introduced to contain the FMD outbreak. Police spokesperson Kauna Shiwambi stated that the suspect in the second incident could not explain where he obtained the meat. The police confiscated and disposed of half a goat carcass, including its organs, valued at N$1 300.
The FMD outbreak has also led to incidents of livestock theft and slaughter. In the Kavango West region, police arrested a man after intercepting a vehicle carrying four men and slaughtered cattle suspected to have been stolen. Two men were also arrested for stealing and slaughtering a sheep valued at N$600 at Omupanda village in the Okakarara district.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has announced that no new FMD cases have been reported outside Kalala Island in the Zambezi region. The outbreak remains confined to the island, and efforts are being made to contain it. Meanwhile, the Namibian Fish Consumption Promotion Trust has been tasked with establishing community fish markets to make fish more affordable and accessible, particularly in rural areas.
Key points
- Meat smuggling during FMD outbreak could spread disease across Namibia
- Veterinary services urge Namibians to follow regulations to contain outbreak
- No new FMD cases reported outside Kalala Island in Zambezi region
