Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has partially lifted restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and animal products in the Zambezi region.
The restrictions were imposed soon after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was detected in the region in May last year.
Ministry spokesperson Jona Musheko says FMD is still present in the eastern part of the region, which is why the Kabbe South, Kabbe North and Katima Mulilo Rural constituencies have been declared the new disease management area (DMA).
“As such the movement of all cloven-hoofed animals among the three constituencies in the DMA is allowed, but not to the rest of the region.
“The slaughtering of fully vaccinated cloven-hoofed animals for own consumption within the DMA is permitted,” he says.
Musheko says the slaughtering of cloven-hoofed animals and fully vaccinated cattle from outside the DMA at open markets, local and export abattoirs is allowed, provided they are issued with movement permits after establishing their vaccination status at the office of the directorate of veterinary services.
“Fully vaccinated cattle originating outside the DMA into Kopano should be quarantined. Fully vaccinated cattle from the rest of the region may move into the DMA, and cloven-hoofed animals from other regions into the Zambezi region, as well as in-transit movement of animals in sealed trucks from other regions,” he said.
Musheko, however, said movement restrictions on all cloven-hoofed animals and animal products from the DMA to the rest of the region are to remain in place.
Two rounds of cattle vaccination with FMD serotype 0 and SAT 1, 2 & 3 vaccines have been completed in the region thus far, achieving a vaccination coverage of over 80%, he said.
“This has resulted in the suppression of the infection,” he said.
The last confirmed FMD case was reported on 4 November 2021 at Old Lusese in the Kabbe North constituency.
In line with the Animal Health Act, an outbreak can only be declared over three months after the last confirmed case.
The government has since secured vaccines worth N$6 million to vaccinate 170 000 head of cattle.
Despite the efforts of the government to curb the further spread of FMD in the region, the illegal cross-border trading of cattle remains a challenge – especially between Namibia and Zambia – Musheko said.
Zambezi regional crime investigations coordinator deputy commissioner Evans Simasiku on Tuesday said three Namibians and two Zambians were arrested in Zambia last week for allegedly stealing 30 head of cattle from Namibia.
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