Namibia’s vital beef export industry is on high alert as the government and livestock stakeholders intensify efforts to protect the country’s coveted foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free status.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), in collaboration with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB), is launching a strategic roadshow from September 8 to 18 to preempt a potential FMD outbreak. The campaign will target key southern regions, including! Karas, Omaheke, and Hardap which are seen as critical buffer zones against the disease.
The initiative comes as increased FMD risks threaten the country’s access to lucrative international markets. The meetings will serve as a crucial platform for farmers, transporters, exporters, and other industry players to discuss border control measures and the economic fallout of an outbreak. The goal is to foster a unified front to prevent the spread of FMD and safeguard the country’s agricultural economy.
DVS is urging all stakeholders to actively participate in the campaign and work closely with authorities to secure Namibia’s FMD-free certification, a cornerstone of its meat trade.
