By Foibe Paavo
SWAKOPMUND, Aug. 10 – Namibia has reinforced its border controls due to the confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth diseases in South Africa.
This measure is to prevent the possible spread and introduction of FMD into the free zone of Namibia, as the two countries have a common border.
According to the update on the FMD outbreak and surveillance provided by the Directorate of Animal Health of South Africa, there are currently 110 open FMD outbreaks in about six provinces.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform experts, the FMD virus is found in all excretions and secretions of infected animals.
Therefore, all cloven-hoofed animals and their products are prohibited from being imported or in transit through Namibia from South Africa. These commodities include; Fresh/frozen pork, uncooked processed pork, raw meat, bovine embryos and semen, raw meat including pork, uncooked processed meat, embryos and semen, grass forages, lucerne and silage, and any other potentially FMD infectious materials.
Although, commodities such as; cooked products of cloven-hoofed animals’ origin, milk and milk-based products, hides processed up to wet blue, and fully processed trophies are allowed for importation and in-transit.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the ban remains in force until further notice and all previously issued import and in-transit permits have been cancelled and recalled immediately.
