The government has declared a formal foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control area in the Karas Region, as gazetted on 17 March, in a move aimed at safeguarding the country's prized disease-free status and protecting access to lucrative international beef markets.



The declaration was signed by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani under the Animal Health Act of 2011. It covers a buffer zone of two farms or 10 kilometres south of the Mata Mata Border Post down to the Orange River, as well as a corresponding band running north of the Orange River westward to the Atlantic Ocean.

Namibia currently holds FMD-free status without vaccination, a distinction that grants the country access to premium export markets and sets it apart from many of its neighbours. Officials cite escalating FMD activity in bordering countries as the primary driver behind the precautionary measure.

Farmers operating within the newly declared control area face various strict obligations. All cloven-hoofed animals including wildlife may only be moved out of the area under a valid veterinary movement permit. Livestock must complete a minimum 30-day isolation period under veterinary supervision before being permitted to leave. Farms are required to maintain dedicated, registered isolation facilities, though in cases where this is not practical, an entire farm may be designated as the isolation unit.

Additional requirements include removing all cloven-hoofed animals from camps bordering the boundary fence and from the Orange River itself. Animals must also be properly identified with approved ear tags and registered on the Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System. The movement of livestock feed out of the area is tightly controlled and requires a veterinary permit.

Should an FMD outbreak be confirmed in a neighbouring country within 10 kilometres of the border during the preceding 30 days, all animal movement out of the control area will be immediately suspended.

The declaration also introduces biosecurity requirements for hunters and visitors. Hunters must spend at least three days in a town away from cloven-hoofed animals before entering any farm in the area, and both vehicles and footwear must be thoroughly cleaned beforehand. Farm and lodge owners are required to disinfect all visitors on arrival.

Non-compliance carries serious consequences. Offenders face fines of up to N$100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. The declaration took immediate effect upon publication and remains in force until withdrawn or amended by the Minister.