Justicia Shipena
The government needs an estimated N$1.5 billion to protect Namibia’s livestock sector from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani said the amount is required in addition to the N$57.5 million already approved by Cabinet.
She said the funding is needed to protect a livestock sector valued at about N$15 billion and to safeguard Namibia’s access to export markets.
“Preliminary estimates indicate that an investment of approximately N$1.5 billion will be required over and above the already approved N$57 million in order to adequately protect a livestock sector valued at N$15 billion and preserve the country’s vital market access,” Zaamwani told Parliament on Tuesday.
The funding request comes because the risk of FMD in Namibia has increased due to outbreaks in neighbouring countries.
Over the weekend, a new case was reported at Nkuruman in South Africa’s Northern Cape, about 400 kilometres from the Namibian border.
Botswana also reported an outbreak last week in an area previously recognised as FMD-free.
“These developments substantially heighten the regional risk profile and present an immediate and significant threat to Namibia,” Zaamwani said.
She warned that an outbreak in Namibia would have serious economic effects, including the suspension of meat exports and disruption to international markets.
“Any introduction of the foot-and-mouth disease virus into Namibia would have severe economic ramifications, including the immediate imposition of trade restrictions and long-term disruptions to international markets,” she said.
Zaamwani said Namibia remains officially recognised as FMD-free by the World Organisation for Animal Health, but added that recent developments require stronger prevention and preparedness measures.
She said the ministry has suspended and tightly controlled imports of cloven-hoofed animals and related products from affected areas. Additional veterinary personnel have been deployed to major and minor border posts to strengthen inspections and surveillance.
Namibia recorded outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the northern regions, mainly in the Zambezi Region, with cases reported in October 2022. The country also experienced earlier outbreaks in 2021.
Zaamwani said 29 officers have already been mobilised to reinforce frontline operations, with plans to deploy a further 28 officials. Vehicle inspections at all border points have also been intensified to prevent the illegal movement of high-risk animal products.
She said the ministry is working with the Roads Authority and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board to identify sites for disinfection facilities and drive-through washing bays at key border posts, including Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei.
“Permanent incineration facilities for confiscated animal products are also planned,” she said.
Further measures include increased border patrols, more frequent inspections at border farms, the establishment of disease control and buffer zones, and tighter monitoring of livestock movements in high-risk areas.
In this vein, Zaamwani said the ministry also plans to establish a national FMD vaccine storage facility to allow faster access to vaccines in the event of an outbreak, particularly in the ||Karas and Hardap regions.
She added that the livestock industry, along with financial institutions, is working to mobilise an FMD emergency fund to support government efforts.
“The recent foot-and-mouth disease notification in Botswana’s FMD-free zone, coupled with continued outbreaks in South Africa, clearly demonstrates that Namibia is currently surrounded by elevated and unprecedented levels of FMD risk,” Zaamwani said.
She said protecting Namibia’s FMD-free status is a national priority.
“Safeguarding Namibia’s FMD-free status is not merely a veterinary imperative; it is a fundamental national priority that protects our economy, our farmers, and access to international markets,” she said.
Zaamwani called on farmers, traders, and transporters, as well as the public, to comply with disease control measures to help keep FMD out of the country.
