By: Erastus Andreas and Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
The government has cooled and cleared the cloud of uncertainty regarding the extent of the FMD spread after a detection in the south.
After holding an information session on Saturday about the ongoing efforts that involve accelerated traceability, clinical examinations and sampling to assess the extent of the infection.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Directorate of Veterinary Services, revealed that all the livestock which moved from the infected farm to Otjozondjupa Region prior to the detection of the outbreak have been traced and all tested negative ot FMD.
Hence, that herd has been cleared of infection, cooling the fear of the spread of the disease beyond //Karas.
The DVS has also revealed that preliminary findings through the traceability system and livestock inspection demonstrated that the disease remains localized in the Karas region.
“There is no evidence from the traceability system which suggests the risk of transmission to the north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, which includes Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions,” the statement read.
The Ministry said it has mobilised veterinary officials from various offices across the country, consisting of both private and public sectors, to intensify traceability, clinical examination, and collection of blood samples to determine the extent of the infection in the shortest period of time.
The outcome has led to the Ministry announcing the partial lifting of the nationwide restriction on the movement of cloven-hoofed livestock and their products.
The lifting of restrictions, however, differs across the country.
Areas North of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, the restrictions of movement on cloven – hoofed animals and their products are lifted with immediate effect.
However, importing cloven-hoofed animals and their products (meat, skin, unpasteurized milk and butter, including kraal manure) from the south to the North of the Veterinary Cordon Fence are still under restriction.
Raw meat currently in storages at registered facilities (abattoirs, butcheries, cold storages) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ministry of Health and Social Services and Ministry of Urban and Rural Development can be transported around, just not to the north.
Documentation of the origin of such meat and meat products must be carried as proof of evidence.
The same proof will be required for meat purchased from retailers and butcheries. Consumers should provide proof of purchase.
Baled grass, lucerne, straw, forage, hay, silage, and crop residue can also be transported, except for //Khara’s Region
Provisions to slaughter animals within the areas south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, excluding the //Kharas Region, are also allowed with conditions.
Animals which have been standing in registered establishments with approved biosecurity measures (feedlots and quarantine stations) can be slaughtered, provided that retrospective tracing under the Namibia Livestock Traceability System shows no introduction of new animals for the past 30 days.
This should be done under a veterinary permit after clinical examination and negative FMD results.
Abattoir owners are allowed to slaughter livestock at registered abattoirs if the animals have been isolated for 30 days prior to slaughter and tested negative against FMD.
According to the Ministry, slaughtering for own home consumption is permitted on condition that the meat and meat products are not moved or transported from the premises of slaughter.
Slaughtering at the farm/homestead for sale purposes is prohibited until further notice.
The movement of processed animal products countrywide and trade of cooked meat, milk and hides is allowed.
Farmers, members of the public and stakeholders are urged to continue providing cooperation with relevant authorities and to be on the lookout and report clinical symptoms of FMD to the nearest State Veterinary Office.
FMD-FREE SMALLER ZONES
The government is also working on a proposal to divide the FMD-free area into smaller zones.
The proposal could allow unaffected areas to continue trading if an outbreak is contained in another zone.
Authorities are considering existing game fences as boundaries to reduce the cost of the system.
Aminuis farmer, Freddy Koujo, supports the idea of smaller zones but says additional livestock movement controls could create problems for farmers.
Koujo said strict controls could create bottlenecks, particularly because some farmers already experience difficulties obtaining movement permits.
He said the situation could be more difficult for farmers in communal areas, but believes the proposal could work if authorities keep the movement process manageable.
Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia executive for quality assurance Anja Boshoff said the Directorate of Veterinary Services has developed an initial proposal for the smaller zones, but the plan is being reconsidered because it is too expensive.
Boshoff said authorities are looking at existing game fences to reduce the cost of implementing the proposed system. She said a workable plan could take about six months before it is ready to be presented to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
In //Kharas, where the outbreak was detected, farmers are already feeling the impact of the restrictions.
Reginald Swartz, a farmer in the region, described the outbreak as a major setback for the country’s economy and farming sector.
Swartz said the outbreak was unexpected, although measures are now in place to contain and combat the disease.
Lelanie Losper, also a farmer in //Kharas, said the outbreak came as a shock and was poorly timed for farmers.
Losper said several livestock auctions had been cancelled following the outbreak, putting additional financial pressure on farmers.
The disruption is also affecting businesses linked to the livestock industry, including auctioneers, livestock transporters and abattoirs.
For farmers, the costs of running their operations continue even when livestock cannot be sold. Animals still require feed, water, labour and veterinary care, while income from livestock sales can be delayed.
The government’s immediate focus remains on containing the disease and assessing when restrictions can safely be eased.
For farmers, the priority is to protect their livestock while keeping their businesses operating during the disruption.
