The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has partially lifted restrictions imposed following the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the ǁKharas Region.

The restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products have been lifted with immediate effect in areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, according to Veterinary Public Notification No. 16 of 2026. However, restrictions remain in place on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence into areas north of the fence.

In areas style="color: black;">south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, excluding ǁKharas, restrictions have also been eased on certain products. Raw meat currently stored at registered abattoirs, butcheries and cold-storage facilities may be moved, provided documentation proving its origin accompanies the meat and meat products.

Meat purchased from retailers and butcheries may also be moved if proof of purchase is provided.

The movement of baled grass, lucerne, straw, forage, hay, silage and crop residue is permitted, except from ǁKharas.

The ministry said the decision follows intensified disease surveillance, livestock traceability and inspections, which indicate that the outbreak remains localised in the ǁKharas Region.

There is currently no evidence from the livestock traceability system of a risk of transmission to areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, including Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi.

Livestock that had been moved from the infected farm to the Otjozondjupa Region before the outbreak was detected has also been traced and tested negative for FMD. The herd has subsequently been cleared of infection.

The movement of commodities such as cooked meat, pasteurised milk and butter from north to south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence may resume, subject to the requirements of the Animal Health Act.

Slaughtering

Slaughtering may resume in areas south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, excluding ǁKharas, under specific conditions.

Animals kept at registered establishments such as approved feedlots and quarantine stations may be moved to abattoirs for direct slaughter if veterinary officials have approved the biosecurity measures and retrospective tracing shows that no new animals have been introduced during the previous 30 days.

The animals must undergo a clinical examination, obtain a veterinary permit and test negative for FMD.

Registered abattoirs may slaughter livestock if the animals have been isolated for 30 days before slaughter and tested negative for FMD.

Slaughtering for household consumption is also permitted, provided the meat and meat products are not moved from the premises where the animals were slaughtered.

However, slaughtering at farms or homesteads for commercial sale remains prohibited until further notice.

Processed products

The movement and trade of certain processed animal products is permitted countrywide.

These include cooked processed meat products, pasteurised milk and its products, and hides processed up to wet-blue stage.

The Directorate of Veterinary Services urged farmers, the public and other stakeholders to continue monitoring animals for signs of FMD and to report suspected cases to the nearest State Veterinary Office.

Symptoms include sores, blisters and wounds in the mouth and between the hooves. Affected animals may be reluctant to move, salivate excessively and lose body condition.

FMD can affect cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and cloven-hoofed wild animals.

The ministry said the public would be kept informed as new information becomes available and as the country's FMD situation changes.