Ministry fences off FMD threat at border
The Namibian government is investing N$1.5 billion in a fencing project to protect the country's foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) status. This initiative aims to secure beef exports and protect the agricultural sector from outbreaks in neighboring South Africa and Botswana.
Why it matters
Maintaining disease-free status is critical for the economic stability of nations reliant on livestock exports to international markets.
The government is rolling out a N$1.5-billion fencing strategy in the ||Kharas region to shore up Namibia’s foot-and-mouth disease-free status amid outbreaks in neighbouring countries.
Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani says the aim of the veterinary fencing project is to strengthen foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) defences, create buffer zones, and protect beef exports.
Namibia remains FMD-free without vaccination, retaining its highly coveted international export status to markets like the European Union and China.
“These and previously implemented control measures have enabled the country to maintain its FMD-free zone status,” Zaamwani says.
She says recent developments in neighbouring countries, however, necessitate heightened surveillance and vigilance, strengthened rapid response capacity, and sustained investment in prevention and preparedness measures.
The minister says FMD has been confirmed in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, which borders Namibia’s southern regions.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in