Africa-Press – Namibia. The Minister of Agriculture, Inge Zaamwani, has announced that an investment of N$1.5 billion will be required to intensify prevention and preparedness measures against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which is currently affecting South Africa and Botswana.
“In view of the increasing proximity and intensity of the risk, Namibia must urgently and aggressively accelerate its prevention and preparedness measures. In this regard, preliminary estimates indicate that an investment of N$1.5 billion will be required over and above what has already been made available, in order to adequately protect the livestock sector valued at N$15 billion and preserve access to vital markets,” she said.
She made these remarks in Parliament, where she revealed that Cabinet has recently approved an additional allocation of N$57.5 million to support critical FMD prevention and preparedness activities.
However, she emphasised that further efforts are required, particularly as FMD has been confirmed in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, which borders Namibia’s southern regions. She added that the fact that FMD is also affecting Botswana — a previously FMD-free zone — underscores the seriousness of the outbreak.
“These developments substantially heighten the regional risk profile and present an immediate and significant threat to Namibia. The occurrence of FMD in an area previously recognised as FMD-free underscores the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the disease. Such an occurrence greatly increases the likelihood of transboundary transmission, particularly through both formal and informal movement of livestock,” Zaamwani said.
The minister stressed that any introduction of FMD into Namibia would have severe economic ramifications, including the immediate imposition of trade restrictions and long-term disruption to international trade.
“Owing to the robust disease control measures currently in place, Namibia continues to maintain its FMD-free zone status. Recent developments in neighbouring countries, however, necessitate heightened surveillance and vigilance, strengthened rapid response capacity, and sustained investment in prevention and preparedness measures,” she said.
Zaamwani revealed that the ministry has already instituted a series of preventative and risk-mitigation measures to safeguard against FMD. These include the suspension and strict control of imports of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from affected areas, as well as the reinforcement of veterinary personnel deployment at all main border posts.
“In addition to the 23 permanently deployed Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) officials stationed at various border posts, a further 29 officials have been mobilised to reinforce frontline operations,” she said.
She further revealed that efforts are underway to deploy an additional 28 officials to significantly enhance operational capacity and expedite preventative measures. According to her, the ministry has also intensified the inspection and searching of vehicles at all border points to prevent the illegal movement of livestock.
She added that, in January, senior officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Roads Authority, and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board visited the Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei border posts to identify suitable locations for disinfection facilities and drive-through washing bays, to ensure the disinfection of all vehicles returning to the country.
Zaamwani also announced that the ministry will increase the frequency and scope of patrols to monitor livestock movement, and intensify surveillance at border posts and farms from annually to monthly. She added that the ministry intends to establish disease-control and buffer zones in FMD-free areas through a phased approach, beginning with the establishment of a control zone in the //Kharas Region, while rehabilitating internal stock and game fencing in the Hardap, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions over the next six months. Oversight of livestock movement within buffer zones and high-risk regions will also be intensified.
“FMD is a highly contagious transboundary animal disease with far-reaching consequences for livestock, livestock production and associated industries. Its impact extends to farmers’ livelihoods, national food security and the overall stability of the agricultural sector. Any outbreak would trigger significant prohibitions on the export of meat and meat products — an industry that contributes substantially to national trade and economic growth,” Zaamwani stressed.
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