Sleepless nights: Minister to give FMD response
Clarity on how the government is handling the looming Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) threat is expected today, when the Minister of Agriculture, Inge Zaamwani, is set to brief the public.
This follows questions raised in the National Assembly last week about Namibia’s readiness to deal with a potential FMD outbreak.
The ministry issued a proactive notification on Monday, urging the public and farming communities to remain calm while it finalises a formal statement. Although the minister admitted in parliament that the threat is “keeping me awake at night”, her office emphasised that Namibia’s animal health systems remain prepared and capable of responding effectively.
Grave concern in the NA
The move towards a formal ministerial statement was triggered by Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament Diederik Vries, who questioned the ministry’s level of preparedness during a parliamentary session on Thursday, 5 February.
“You know, it will have serious consequences if it spills over into Namibia,” Vries said. “What is the government planning? In the event that the disease spills over, what are your contingency plans to contain it?”
These same questions were put to the ministry by Agri Monitor on 3 February, without response. The publication also sought clarity on how government is controlling cattle movement along the Orange River border with South Africa.
Vries stressed that with agriculture forming the backbone of rural economies, the implications for Namibia’s trade relationship with South Africa are significant. In response, Zaamwani confirmed that the ministry is “seized with the matter”, particularly as the Northern Cape - the final buffer between Namibia and the South African outbreak - is now under threat.
Prediction becomes a reality
The minister’s current concern echoes warnings she issued on 29 January. “The moment there is an FMD case in the Northern Cape, it’s only a matter of time before Namibia’s entire FMD-free zone is affected,” she said at the time.
That prediction now appears to be unfolding.
On Sunday, 8 February, South Africa’s Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) was informed of a suspected FMD case in the Kuruman district. Following an initial alert on Saturday, 7 February, an animal health technician reached the affected farm the same day to initiate emergency response measures.
Samples were collected and transported to Kimberley by Sunday afternoon and were scheduled for laboratory delivery on Monday. A meeting with Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Lebogang Motlhaping, was held yesterday.
Strengthening Namibia’s “frontline”
To mitigate the risk, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) has launched a large-scale logistical operation to support the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS).
Dr Anja Boshoff-De Witt, Executive: Quality Assurance at the LLPBN, warned that the virus is highly resilient and can survive both freezing and pasteurisation, often “hitchhiking” on vehicle tyres, footwear and clothing.
In line with the national FMD contingency plan, the LLPBN has funded and procured equipment for a dedicated FMD emergency store. This mobile unit, housed in a container for rapid deployment, can be dispatched immediately to any suspected outbreak site at the request of the DVS.
In addition, the board is facilitating and partially funding permanent vehicle wash and disinfection facilities at Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei, while intensifying spraying operations at all border entry points.
The economic risk
Roelie Venter, Executive Manager of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), warned in an interview with Agri Monitor that an outbreak could trigger the collapse of the livestock sector. Because Namibia does not vaccinate livestock south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence in order to maintain its “FMD-free without vaccination” export status, animals in these areas have no natural immunity.
“The moment FMD breaks out, all livestock exports will stop immediately,” Venter said. “The entire value chain - from feed suppliers and banks to abattoirs - will be severely affected.”
A call for vigilance
In Monday’s public notification, Zaamwani urged the public and farming communities not to panic. “While vigilance is necessary, Namibia’s animal health systems remain prepared and capable of responding effectively to any potential risks,” she said.
The minister also emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, noting that animal diseases know no borders. “Namibia stands ready to support neighbouring countries through cooperation and assistance, as a collective regional response ultimately protects us all.”
