The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has suspended further beef exports and slaughter operations following the confirmation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Karasburg area of the //Kharas Region.
The move follows Veterinary Public Notification No. 15 of 2026 issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), which activated the National FMD Contingency Plan and imposed immediate control measures.
The measures include the suspension of the movement and marketing of cloven-hoofed animals, slaughter at abattoirs, as well as imports and exports of cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products.
Meatco said it was complying with the restrictions and working with veterinary authorities to determine the impact on its operations and export programme.
“In accordance with the national directive, Meatco has suspended further beef exports requiring movement under the affected arrangements until further guidance is received from the competent veterinary authorities,” the company said.
Meatco is also assessing the status of beef consignments that had already been exported, shipped or were in transit before the outbreak was confirmed.
The company said it was consulting veterinary authorities, logistics partners, customers and importing markets to determine how the affected consignments would be handled.
“At this stage, Meatco does not wish to speculate on the treatment of individual consignments or whether any product may need to be returned,” it said.
Meatco said the treatment of individual shipments would depend on veterinary certification, when the consignments were dispatched, their current status and the requirements imposed by individual importing countries.
The company is undertaking a reconciliation of consignments already dispatched or currently moving through the logistics chain.
Meatco said it was also too early to determine the financial impact of the FMD outbreak on its operations.
The eventual cost would depend on how long the control measures remain in place, the treatment of beef already in transit and how quickly livestock procurement, slaughter and access to export markets can resume.
Meatco Board Deputy Chairperson Stephanie M. De Klerk said the company’s immediate priority was to comply with the national veterinary response and support efforts to contain the outbreak.
“Our immediate priority is full compliance with the national veterinary response and supporting the authorities in containing the outbreak as quickly as possible,” De Klerk said.
“Namibia has built a strong reputation for the integrity of its animal-health and beef-export systems. Meatco will continue to act responsibly and transparently while the authorities undertake the necessary surveillance and control measures.”
Meatco urged livestock producers, employees and other industry stakeholders to comply with DVS measures as authorities work to contain the outbreak.
