The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) has contracted South African firm AfriCompliance to accredit 15 truck disinfection facilities to prevent foot-and-mouth disease transmission.
The Namibia Agricultural Union says this measure is to reduce the risk of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) being introduced to Namibia through livestock vehicles returning from deliveries in South Africa.
The accreditation will ensure facilities comply with the required biosecurity standards and that effective cleaning and disinfection procedures are followed before the vehicles can return to Namibia.
This forms an important part of the broader efforts to strengthen Namibia’s biosecurity and reduce the risk of FMD transmission. The country is on a high-alert against the introduction of FMD.
“AfriCompliance specialises in independent compliance assessments and certification and is currently evaluating 15 wash and disinfection facilities in South Africa,” the union says.
According to estimates from the Livestock Producers’ Organisation and the union, live cattle exports dominated by weaners, sent to South African feedlots reached around 180 000 animals during recent high-liquidation years like 2024.
The board says monthly volumes fluctuate due to drought conditions and domestic feed capacity, such as a surge of 13 000 live cattle exported in July 2026 alone.
All these cattle are transported by trucks to South African feedlots, some of which are in FMD-affected areas.
AfriCompliance is expected to complete the evaluation of the 15 identified facilities by the end of this week.
“Where shortcomings or gaps are identified during the evaluation process, the relevant facilities will be required to make the necessary adjustments to comply with the required biosecurity standards before they can be considered for accreditation,” the union says in the latest issue of its newsletter.
Thereafter, AfriCompliance will compile and submit a detailed report to the LLPBN, setting out the findings and recommendations for each facility.
The report will form the basis for the next steps in the accreditation process.
Trucks transporting livestock to South Africa are currently barred from transporting back loads to Namibia.
This restriction has had significant financial implications for transporters with an impact on the cost of various commodities, including animal feeds and other agricultural inputs.
The accreditation of suitable wash and disinfection facilities could provide a practical solution to this challenge.
“Once a truck has been properly cleaned and disinfected at an accredited facility and complies with the required biosecurity
procedures, it may potentially be allowed to transport certain approved products back to Namibia.
“This would allow transporters to use return trips more effectively while maintaining the necessary measures to protect Namibia against the introduction of FMD,” the union says.
The newsletter says in addition to the 15 facilities already identified, for which the LLPBN will carry the cost of accreditation and annual evaluations, it will also be possible for interested parties to apply for additional facilities to be accredited.
“The costs associated with the evaluation and accreditation of these additional facilities will, however, be for the applicant’s own account,” the union explains.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
