Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA has tightened controls on the movement of livestock and raw animal products, with roadblocks being put on high alert as authorities step up efforts to contain a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak detected in the country’s internationally recognised FMD-free zone.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has suspended the movement, marketing and trade of all cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products nationwide, while imports, exports and transit movements have also been suspended until further notice. Slaughtering at local and export abattoirs, informal markets and social events has also been halted.
The DVS has announced that additional roadblocks will be established at strategic areas to enforce the movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products.
Video: Joep Nel
Although roadblocks into the city have upped their game in the inspection and control of raw animal products, measures at this stage are still slack, and certain allowances are made for purchased and properly packaged meat with the availability of proof of purchase.
The restrictions cover cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals, as well as their raw products.
The measures mean that members of the public and livestock operators should not transport affected animals or raw animal products without authorisation from veterinary authorities.
The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) fully supports the Chief Veterinary Officer and the Directorate of Veterinary Services and has called for a state of emergency to make additional state resources and powers available to contain the disease.
The public and livestock industry have been urged to comply with the restrictions and cooperate with veterinary officials as surveillance and containment operations continue.
Farmers and members of the public have been urged to report animals showing suspected signs of FMD to the nearest State Veterinary office and to comply with movement restrictions.
The government has emphasised that containing the outbreak and restoring normal livestock marketing remain a national priority, with cooperation from farmers, industry and the public considered essential to the response.
