Namibia has partially lifted restrictions on the movement of livestock and animal products imposed following the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, after preliminary investigations found that the disease remains localised in the //Kharas Region.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Kenneth K. Shoombe said livestock that had moved from the infected farm to the Otjozondjupa Region before the outbreak was detected had been traced and tested negative for FMD, clearing the herd of infection.
Shoombe said preliminary findings from the livestock traceability system and inspections showed no evidence suggesting transmission to areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, including Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi.
As a result, he said restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence have been lifted with immediate effect.
However, Shoombe said the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and products including meat, skins, unpasteurised milk, butter and kraal manure from south to north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence remains restricted.
He said protocols governing the movement of commodities such as cooked meat, pasteurised milk and butter from north to south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence would resume in accordance with the Animal Health Act.
For areas south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, excluding the //Kharas Region, Shoombe said restrictions have been lifted on the movement of raw meat currently held in storage at registered facilities, including abattoirs, butcheries and cold-storage facilities.
He said documentation showing the origin of the meat must accompany the products, while meat purchased from retailers and butcheries may also be moved provided proof of purchase is presented.
Restrictions on the movement of baled grass, lucerne, straw, forage, hay, silage and crop residue have also been lifted south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, except in the //Kharas Region.
Shoombe said livestock slaughter at registered abattoirs south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, excluding //Kharas, may also resume under specified veterinary conditions.
Animals kept at registered establishments with approved biosecurity measures may be moved directly to abattoirs if retrospective tracing confirms that no new animals were introduced during the previous 30 days, subject to clinical examination and negative FMD results.
Shoombe said slaughtering for home consumption is permitted provided the meat and meat products are not moved from the premises where the slaughter takes place. Slaughtering at farms or homesteads for commercial sale remains prohibited until further notice.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services has also authorised the movement and trade of certain processed animal products countrywide, including cooked processed meat products, pasteurised milk and milk products, and hides processed up to the wet-blue stage.
Shoombe urged farmers, members of the public and other stakeholders to continue cooperating with authorities and report clinical signs of FMD to the nearest State Veterinary Office.
He said the public would continue to be updated as new information becomes available and the FMD situation changes.
