Namibia has lifted the suspension of live cattle exports to South Africa imposed last month after the neighboring country put a hold on all movement of livestock in the country except for slaughter to contain the spread of the foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Trucks transporting live animals to South Africa are now required to be registered with the Directorate Veterinary Services according to a pronouncement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and will be mandated to be cleaned and disinfected by individuals/entities accredited by the South African Veterinary authority before returning to Namibia.
“Trucks without valid cleaning and disinfection certificates will not be allowed to enter Namibia; At the next loading of animals in Namibia for exportation to South Africa, the Cleaning and Disinfection Certificate previously issued to the specific truck in South Africa must be handed to the attending veterinary official. Failure to comply with this requirement, the specific truck will be disqualified from transporting animals to South Africa,” Directorate of Veterinary Services Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shilongo said.
This comes as Namibia early this month imposed a country wide suspension of livestock imports, exports of fresh meat and raw animal products from Botswana after the country had announced that it was investigating a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
