Borders fortified against "unprecedented" FMD threat levels
In a major address to the National Assembly this week, Minister of Agriculture Inge Zamwaani, on 10 February, detailed a massive mobilisation effort to shield Namibia’s livestock industry from a rapidly approaching Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) crisis.
With outbreaks confirmed in Botswana’s Zone 6b and South Africa’s Northern Cape - some within 400km of the Namibian border - the ministry has declared the current regional risk level as "unprecedented."
To counter this, the government is transforming its southern border posts into biological fortresses, dramatically scaling up the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) personnel and requesting a N$1.5 billion emergency budget to safeguard a sector valued at N$15 billion.
Surge in frontline strength
The centrepiece of the ministry’s response is a significant increase in boots on the ground. Historically, the DVS maintained a presence of 23 officials at frontline positions. However, as the threat has escalated, the ministry has already deployed an additional 29 staff members, bringing the current force to 52 officials.
This is only the first phase. The speech outlined an ongoing process to mobilise another 28 personnel, which will bring the total dedicated border force to 80 officials.
This team is tasked with providing around-the-clock surveillance, conducting mandatory inspections, and managing new biosecurity infrastructure.
Locking down the southern gate
The mobilisation extends beyond personnel to physical and logistical barriers. The ministry has officially suspended the importation of all cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as their derivative products from affected regional zones.
On the ground, the Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei border posts have become the focal points of the defence strategy. New disinfection drive-through bays have been established, ensuring that every vehicle entering the country undergoes a thorough decontamination process. Additionally, intensified vehicle searches are being conducted to prevent the informal or illegal movement of potentially contaminated meat or animal products.
N$1.5 billion needed to protect N$15 billion
The minister was blunt about the financial stakes. Namibia’s livestock industry, a cornerstone of the national economy and the primary livelihood for thousands of households, is currently valued at N$15 billion. An FMD outbreak south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence would trigger an immediate shutdown of international meat exports to premium markets, like the European Union, China, and the United States.
To prevent this catastrophe, the ministry has identified a total funding requirement of N$1.5 billion. This "insurance policy" is intended to fund a shift from quarterly to monthly border patrols, increase farm-level surveillance to a monthly cycle, and rehabilitate critical border fencing. Cabinet has already approved an initial N$57.5 million to kickstart these preparedness activities.
Technical defences and rapid response
The DVS has also moved into a "high alert" technical posture. In collaboration with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), the ministry has procured emergency equipment, vaccines, and materials for a mobile FMD response unit. This "emergency store" is designed to be deployed to any suspected outbreak site within hours of a report.
Surveillance has been ramped up significantly. The ministry is no longer relying on annual checks; instead, state veterinarians are conducting frequent inspections to ensure early detection. The goal is simple: find the virus before it spreads. "Namibia continues to maintain its FMD-free zone status," the minister stated, but warned that "the occurrence of FMD in an area previously recognised as FMD-free [in Botswana] underscores the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the disease."
National vigilance
Finally, the minister appealed to the public. While the government is leading mobilisation, the minister framed the defence of the border as a "shared responsibility."
Farmers are urged to restrict movement and avoid visiting auctions or feedlots in high-risk areas of South Africa. Travellers are reminded that the virus can "hitchhike" on clothing, footwear, and vehicle tyres. Strict compliance with footbaths and vehicle disinfection at all entry points is now a mandatory requirement for every citizen and visitor.
The ministry’s message to the August House was one of proactive defiance. By doubling the veterinary workforce, installing permanent disinfection infrastructure, and seeking the resources to maintain a monthly surveillance cycle, the government is signalling to international markets that Namibia remains a safe trading partner.
