Meatco has suspended further beef exports affected by Namibia’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control measures, while it assesses consignments already exported, shipped or in transit.
The Meat Corporation of Namibia said it was complying with Veterinary Public Notification No. 15 of 2026, issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) following confirmation of FMD in the Karasburg area of the ǁKharas Region.
The DVS has activated the National FMD Contingency Plan and introduced nationwide controls, including the suspension of the movement and marketing of cloven-hoofed animals, slaughter at abattoirs, and imports and exports of cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products.
Meatco said the status of consignments already in the
logistics chain was being established in consultation with veterinary authorities, logistics partners, customers and importing markets. “At this stage, Meatco does not wish to speculate on the treatment of individual consignments or whether any product may need to be returned,” the company said.
It said the position of each consignment would depend on veterinary certification, the timing and status of the shipment and the requirements of the importing country. “Meatco is therefore undertaking a reconciliation of consignments already dispatched or currently in the logistics chain,” it said, adding that further information would be provided once the status of shipments and any instructions from authorities and export markets had been confirmed.
The company said it was too early to determine the full financial impact of the outbreak on its operations.
The impact would depend largely on how long the control measures remained in place, the treatment of consignments already in transit, and when livestock procurement, slaughter and access to export markets could resume.
Meatco said its management was assessing the operational and financial implications and would take measures to protect the business, employees, producers, customers and other stakeholders.
“Our immediate priority is full compliance with the national veterinary response and supporting the authorities in containing the outbreak as quickly as possible,” Meatco board deputy chairperson Stephanie 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,” she said.
Meatco urged producers, employees and other industry stakeholders to cooperate fully with the DVS and rely on official information about the outbreak.
The company said it would provide further updates as verified information became available.
