As Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) pressures Namibia’s southern borders, the message from the Ministry of Agriculture’s multi-sectoral meeting was clear: this is a national economic emergency that leaves no room for armchair experts.

Goliath Tujendapi, Acting CEO of the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPBN), issued a blunt directive to the industry, emphasizing a strict hierarchy of expertise. Drawing a sharp line between industry players and trained professionals, Tujendapi noted that the "mistakes learned from neighboring countries" often stem from non-experts interfering in technical crises.

"When we talk about these FMD issues, you will notice immediately who is the vet and who pretends to be a vet," Tujendapi stated. He argued that the chaos seen in South Africa - where "everyone has become an expert" - must be avoided at all costs to protect Namibia’s N$15 billion livestock sector.

The strategy for Namibia is one of absolute professional discipline. Tujendapi identified Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Dr. Kenneth Shoombe as the sole "commander" of the response to the looming FMD crises. "When he stands up and says, everyone go left, we have to go left," Tujendapi insisted, suggesting that even if a directive is questioned, the industry must follow the DVS’ lead first and debate later.

Tujendapi emphasized that this discipline is the only way to safeguard the "backbone of the economy." While agriculture may not be the largest contributor to the GDP, its social impact is unmatched, with 70% of the Namibian population directly dependent on the sector. Maintaining "FMD Free Without Vaccination" status is not a mere bureaucratic goal; it is a prerequisite for accessing high-value markets like the European Union. 

Tujendapi warned that once investment in traceability and international standards is compromised by amateur interference, the economic returns for the entire nation will vanish.

Additional FMD free compartments

Dr. Shoombe’s technical overview reinforced these stakes, detailing a plan to fragment the FMD-free zone into independent compartments. This "firewall" strategy aims to ensure that an outbreak in one area doesn't paralyze the entire nation’s export capabilities. By creating these internal boundaries, the DVS can isolate an infection to a specific region while allowing the rest of the country to continue trading.