Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA has suspended the movement, marketing, trade, import, export and transit of cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products nationwide following the detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Karasburg State Veterinary District in the //Kharas Region, with livestock auctions and events also being cancelled or postponed.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has suspended the movement of all cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products until further notice, while nationwide marketing and trade have also been halted.
The outbreak has already affected livestock marketing activities, with Agra Auctions announcing that all its livestock auctions have been cancelled until 2 October 2026, pending further guidance from the relevant authorities.
Agra also confirmed that the Gobabis Livestock Show has been cancelled due to the national FMD regulations. As a result, Agra Auctions and SwiftVEE Namibia will no longer livestream the event.
Windhoek Livestock Auctioneers and Namibia Livestock Auctioneers said their auctions have been postponed until further notice.
Agra Auctions urged livestock producers to remain informed, follow official veterinary directives and strengthen biosecurity measures on their farms.
The company said strict biosecurity, responsible animal movement and early reporting were particularly important for producers, buyers and others involved in the livestock auction industry.
Producers were also encouraged to remain in contact with their livestock auction representatives for information on upcoming marketing activities and changes to scheduled auctions.
The import, export and transit of cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products have been suspended, while the slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals has been halted at export and local abattoirs, informal markets and during social events.
The measures follow the confirmed detection of FMD in the Karasburg State Veterinary District, which the Ministry has identified as an active outbreak within Namibia’s WOAH-recognised FMD-free zone.
The latest restrictions are aimed at limiting the spread of FMD, with the livestock industry urged to cooperate with veterinary authorities and comply with movement and biosecurity requirements.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Contributed
