Namibia has banned the import and transit of cloven-hoofed animals from Botswana due to confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the country.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, chief veterinary officer Kenneth Shoombe said cloven-hoofed animals and their products from certain zones in the north and east of the country would be restricted.
“The movement restriction aims at mitigating the risk of introducing FMD virus into Namibia,” Shoombe said.
The decision comes after a case of the virus was reported on 4 March in the east of the country.
The ban includes all animal products of cattle, sheep, goats, and antelope, even those intended for personal or household consumption.
The movement of cloven-hoofed animals and animal products from FMD-free zones in the south and east of the country is allowed with a veterinary permit.
Those zones are 4a, 4b, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
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