Renthia Kaimbi and Chamwe Kaira
Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has warned against the movement of meat from the FMD-affected south to northern Namibia, as the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) prepares to call for a state of emergency following the confirmation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the country’s FMD-free zone.
The warning comes after the government suspended the movement of all cloven-hoofed animals and their products across the country, as well as the import and export of such animals, following confirmation that 10 out of 11 samples collected from cattle in the Karasburg State Veterinary District tested positive for FMD.
The outbreak, detected on a commercial farm in the //Kharas Region, has triggered immediate disease-control measures under the Animal Health Act, with authorities seeking to contain the disease and protect livestock markets.
Amupanda, a long-standing advocate for the removal of the veterinary cordon fence, commonly referred to as the redline, in northern Namibia, questioned whether the outbreak should be used to reinforce divisions between the country’s livestock-producing regions.
“The reality is that the reasons they were using to keep the redline have effectively collapsed like a pack of dominoes. There will still be movement of meat. If FMD is in the south of the 1896 Redline, are we expecting them to stop bringing their meat to the north?” he said.
He argued that the outbreak should not be used to maintain what he described as a division of the country’s economy, saying animal disease control should not be used to “balkanize the country”.
Amupanda also questioned whether veterinary cordon fences would be established around the affected area, maintaining his opposition to the continued use of the veterinary cordon fence as a mechanism for controlling livestock movement.
“They were shouting Europe this and Europe that. The point is that animal disease control should not be used to balkanize the country and keep colonial projects. We need one economy and not have our country divided into two. God is for all and our God doesn’t rent in backyard flats of whites and the puppet regime!” Amupanda stated.
His comments come after the NAU called for strict adherence to the movement restrictions announced by veterinary authorities and said it would ask the government to declare a state of emergency over the outbreak.
The agricultural union said the declaration was necessary because of the potential consequences for the livestock industry, rural communities and the wider economy.
“Given the scale of the threat to our livestock industry, our rural communities and the national economy, the NAU will call on the government to declare a state of emergency so that the full resources and power of the State are available to contain this outbreak as quickly as possible,” the union said.
The movement suspension covers cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and game, as well as products including hides, dairy products and meat products.
The NAU has urged farmers, livestock transporters, buyers and members of the public to comply with the restrictions and instructions issued by veterinary authorities.
It said suspected cases and any unauthorised movement of cloven-hoofed animals or their products must be reported to the nearest state veterinarian.
The union also called on farmers to implement strict biosecurity measures and comply with directives from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) and law-enforcement agencies.
The NAU said the success of the containment effort would depend on strict compliance with the measures, warning that unauthorised animal movement, failure to report suspected cases and inadequate biosecurity could undermine efforts to control the outbreak.
The union said it supports the Chief Veterinary Officer and the DVS and would back measures required to restore Namibia’s FMD-free status.
Meanwhile, Meatco managing director Albertus !Aochamub said the corporation was not yet in a position to assess the full impact of the outbreak on its operations or the livestock industry.
Responding to questions on the effect of the restrictions on Meatco’s procurement, processing and marketing operations, existing export consignments, possible financial losses, domestic beef supplies and potential price increases, !Aochamub said the situation was still developing.
“As you are aware, the announcement was just made and the entire industry is engaged in determining the full impact. To that end, it will be foolhardy for us to comment on an evolving situation,” he said.
!Aochamub said Meatco would comply with the measures issued by the relevant authorities.
“We will follow all the protocols as laid down in law and communicated by the competent authority, which is the DVS in this instance,” he said.
The government has warned that the outbreak could have serious implications for the national economy and livelihoods because of the suspension of livestock and livestock-product marketing locally and internationally.
The authorities have said restoring and normalising livestock marketing will remain a priority once the disease is brought under control.
