Staff Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has partially lifted the initial Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions, allowing the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, while easing restrictions on certain meat, fodder and livestock movements in areas south of the fence outside the \/\/Kharas Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement issued by Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Kenneth Shoombe, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) said the decision follows preliminary traceability and livestock inspection findings showing that the outbreak remains localised in the \/\/Kharas Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The livestock that moved from the infected farm in the Karasburg Veterinary District to the Otjozondjupa Region before the outbreak was detected have also been traced and tested negative for FMD, clearing the herd of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DVS said there was currently no evidence from the traceability system indicating a risk of transmission to areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, including Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With immediate effect, restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products in areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence have been lifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Protocols governing the movement of commodities such as cooked meat, pasteurised milk and butter from north to south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence will also resume, subject to the Animal Health Act, No. 1 of 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products, including meat, skins, unpasteurised milk, butter and kraal manure, into areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence remains restricted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In areas south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, excluding the \/\/Kharas Region, restrictions have also been lifted on certain products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These include raw meat currently stored at registered facilities such as abattoirs, butcheries and cold storage facilities, provided documentation proving the origin of the meat and meat products is carried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meat purchased from retailers and butcheries may also be moved, provided proof of purchase is presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The movement of baled grass, lucerne, straw, forage, hay, silage and crop residue is also permitted in these areas, excluding the \/\/Kharas Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DVS has further allowed certain livestock in areas south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, excluding \/\/Kharas, to be moved to abattoirs for direct slaughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The animals must have been kept at registered establishments with approved biosecurity measures, such as feedlots and quarantine stations, and must have been under veterinary-approved conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Retrospective tracing through the Namibia Livestock Traceability System must show that no new animals were introduced during the previous 30 days. The animals must also undergo a clinical examination and test negative for FMD before being moved under a veterinary permit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slaughtering at registered abattoirs is permitted where animals have been isolated for 30 days before slaughter and tested negative for FMD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slaughtering for own home consumption is also permitted, provided the meat and meat products are not moved or transported from the premises where the slaughter takes place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, slaughtering livestock at farms or homesteads for sale remains prohibited until further notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DVS has also allowed the movement and trade of certain processed animal products countrywide, including cooked processed meat products, pasteurised milk and its products, and hides processed up to wet-blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ministry urged farmers, members of the public and other stakeholders to continue cooperating with veterinary authorities and to remain vigilant for signs of FMD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms include sores, blisters and wounds in the mouth and between the hooves. FMD can affect cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and cloven-hoofed wild animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Infected animals may be reluctant to move, salivate excessively and lose body condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ministry said the public would be kept informed as new information becomes available and that the measures remain subject to changes in the FMD situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Staff Reporter THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has partially lifted the initial Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions, allowing the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, while easing restrictions on certain meat, fodder and livestock movements in areas south of the fence outside the \/\/Kharas Region. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":401510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-401490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n