Meatco says clarification from the European Union (EU) on temporary animal-health measures following Namibia’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak could allow eligible meat consignments to continue entering the European market.
The EU has confirmed that consignments of fresh meat certified by Namibia’s competent authority before 23 September 2026, when the first FMD outbreak was confirmed, may continue to enter the EU for 90 days from that date.
The consignments remain subject to applicable EU legislation and decisions by the relevant border control posts.
For Meatco and producers, the clarification could ease some of the immediate commercial pressure caused by the outbreak by allowing products that had already been produced and certified before the outbreak to p
roceed to their intended markets.
Meatco said the decision was also significant for the wider livestock value chain, including producers, processors and businesses dependent on the movement and export of Namibian livestock products.
The corporation welcomed the EU’s recognition of the swift response and transparent communication by Namibian authorities following confirmation of the outbreak.
According to Meatco, the acknowledgement highlights the importance of Namibia’s veterinary controls, certification and traceability systems in maintaining confidence among international trading partners.
Meatco interim chief executive officer Albertus Aochamub said the clarification provided some relief to the industry, while stressing that all veterinary and border-control requirements must still be met.
“The clarification by the European Union provides important relief to Meatco and the wider livestock industry. It means that eligible product certified before the outbreak can continue its journey to the European market, subject to the applicable veterinary and border-control requirements,” Aochamub said.
He said Namibia had invested over many years in veterinary controls, traceability and market-access systems. “At a moment such as this, the credibility of those systems becomes especially important,” he said. “Our immediate responsibility is clear: we will comply fully with every measure prescribed by the competent authorities, protect the integrity of Namibia’s animal-health system and work collectively towards the earliest possible restoration of normal market access.”
Meatco said it was working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), EU authorities and industry stakeholders to ensure qualifying consignments meet all requirements.
The corporation said it would continue to comply with animal-health, veterinary certification, biosecurity and market-access measures issued by Namibian and international authorities.
The EU has indicated that its measures are precautionary and that the situation will continue to be assessed in cooperation with Namibia. The measures may be reviewed as animal-health conditions change.
“For Namibia’s livestock industry, the development provides some certainty around meat that was already certified before the outbreak, while the broader industry continues to deal with the implications of FMD and efforts to contain its spread,” Meatco said.
Continued cooperation between government, veterinary authorities, producers, processors and international trading partners will be important in managing the outbreak while protecting Namibia’s long-term access to international markets.
