Namibia bans meat and milk from South Africa

Namibia is tightening border controls and awareness campaigns as South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak threatens the country’s livestock industry.

Among other measures of the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), cloven-hoofed animal products from South Africa will not be allowed to cross the border without a permit.

“This includes raw, cooked, smoked, dried or processed meat, milk and milk products, canned products and other restricted material like forage or hay,” the DVS explains in a recent notice.

A valid veterinary import permit must be presented for products brought into the country for both commercial and personal use.

The notice highlights that adherence to these regulations is enforceable by law, and travellers are reminded to secure their permit from Namibian veterinary services before arriving at a port of entry into Namibia.

In addition to this, the DVS will be collaborating with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB) to host a roadshow across the ||Kharas, Omaheke, and Hardap regions from to day to 18 September.

This will serve as a platform to further discuss FMD, its risk factors, and strategies to prevent an outbreak.

“As the risk of foot-and-mouth disease in Namibia increases, every role-player in the livestock value chain has a duty to stay informed and actively contribute to maintaining the country’s disease-free status in the FMD-free zone,” the LLPB says.

Farmers are being encouraged to notify their local state veterinarian of any suspected cases of FMD immediately.

South Africa has been struggling to grapple with more and more cases of FMD as the crisis intensifies, with 274 unresolved outbreaks currently being reported in the KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, North West and Mpumalanga provinces.

The outbreak has affected all cattle farming systems, including commercial beef herds, feedlots, dairy operations and communal farms.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.