Namibia Tightens Livestock Controls as Foot-and-Mouth Disease Hits Trade

Namibia is intensifying efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease after outbreaks were confirmed in the //Kharas and Zambezi regions, disrupting livestock movement, meat businesses and exports.

The Directorate of Veterinary Services confirmed the disease on a commercial farm in the Karasburg State Veterinary District on September 23. A second outbreak was confirmed in cattle at Kalala Island, in the Kabbe constituency of the Zambezi Region, on October 7.

Veterinary officials said 20 cattle showed clinical signs at Kalala Island. All 12 samples collected there tested positive at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek.

Movement and slaughter restrictions

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has suspended the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and raw products in the Zambezi Region. Previously issued movement permits have been cancelled, while livestock auctions, informal markets and other animal-gathering events have been halted.

Slaughter at local abattoirs, informal markets and social events has also been suspended. Export abattoirs may continue processing eligible cattle, but only under quarantine, traceability and commodity-based trade requirements.

Authorities have introduced emergency vaccination, roadblocks, intensified surveillance and livestock-movement tracing. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said in an October 5 address that surveillance teams had recorded 127 positive cases across 15 farms and inspected 29,313 animals across 68 farms. A ministry update covering October 6 reported 129 positive samples and 17 infected farms, with 72 of 81 targeted farms inspected.

The available information confirms outbreaks in both regions but does not establish that the disease spread directly from //Kharas to Zambezi.

EU measures affect meat exports

The European Union temporarily suspended entry of specified fresh and processed meat products from Namibia’s previously authorised NA-1 export zone. The measure is not a blanket ban on all Namibian meat imports.

Some processed products that receive prescribed risk-mitigating treatment remain eligible. Qualifying fresh-meat consignments certified before September 23 may also enter during a 90-day transitional period, subject to applicable requirements.

Marianne Pretorius, head of communications at the Namibia Agricultural Union, said the outbreak had dealt a serious blow to farmers, particularly in the //Kharas region. She said the union supported the restrictions but warned that domestic prices could remain under pressure until export markets reopen.

“Even when domestic trade resumes, prices may remain under pressure until export markets reopen,” Pretorius said, calling for market recovery to receive the same attention as disease control.

Businesses and workers feel the impact

Meat vendors in Windhoek have reported weaker sales and higher prices. Francisco, a vendor at Single Quarter market, said the market had closed for several days at a financially difficult time.

“It was just before the weekend and month’s end. That’s when we need the money the most,” he said.

A kapana vendor said the higher cost of meat was reducing earnings. “Our business is slow. We are struggling to buy meat, but without it, we cannot survive,” the vendor said.

Enrico De Azevedo, who manages a supermarket butchery in Okuryangava, said some premium beef products had run out. He also described panic buying among consumers, comparing it with stockpiling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meatco placed about 400 production workers on three weeks of special leave with full pay. The arrangement was due to be reviewed on October 23, with workers’ return dependent on veterinary guidance. Meatco also paid farmers N$31 million, approximately US$1.8 million, for cattle delivered to its Windhoek abattoir between August 29 and September 11.

Containment infrastructure

The government began construction in October of a veterinary cordon fence along the Orange River in the //Kharas Region to strengthen controls along the border with South Africa. Additional fencing and containment measures are also being pursued in high-risk areas.

Farmer Gert Engelbrecht said movement restrictions were necessary but had placed pressure on livestock operations and cash flow.

“Being able to move and sell livestock is fundamental to keeping the farming operation going,” Engelbrecht said. He added that farmers were working with veterinary authorities to control the disease, regain Namibia’s disease-free status and restore market access.