Study for veterinary barrier on Angola border to start

The agriculture ministry intends to launch a feasibility assessment for the establishment of a veterinary barrier on the Namibia-Angola border this financial year.This is to effectively prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) into the northern communal areas.More than 1.1 million cattle were vaccinated against CBPP and over 500 000 cattle were vaccinated against FMD in the northern communal areas (NCAs) during the 2022/2023 financial year.This is due to the ministry’s rapid response to various outbreaks of livestock diseases.Agriculture deputy minister Anna Shiweda said this in her budget motivation, adding that the livestock sector continues to be one of the mainstay livelihoods for the majority of Namibians.Through Namibia’s effective veterinary services, the country ensures market access of its beef products to be exported to niche markets such as the United States, China, Norway and the European Union, she said.“Equally, the government has invested in livestock value chain infrastructure in the NCAs to unlock the economic potential for rural communities and its producers in particular.”Second to noneIn this regard, the Katima Mulilo Abattoir came into operation again in 2021 and - for the first time in Namibia’s history - beef products from the NCAs have reached regional markets such as Ghana, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo under commodity-based trade and “with quality and safety second to none”, she said.For the 2023/2024 financial year, the ministry will focus on procuring various doses of vaccines, and undertake annual vaccination campaigns and farm inspections in line with best international standards, Shiweda said.The ministry will also procure diagnostic materials and support the maintenance of the central veterinary laboratory, she noted.Meanwhile, according to the deputy minister, a feasibility assessment for the extension of the biosafety Level 3 lab at the central veterinary laboratory will also be undertaken for the establishment of local vaccine production capacity in future.Furthermore, construction and renovation of veterinary clinics will start in order to meet the requirements of the veterinary council, and for efficient delivery of veterinary services in various regions of the country.Shiweda added that beef value chain development will be done in the NCAs to enable the operationalisation of abattoirs, while construction will be completed at the Ongwediva Meat Processing Plant.The proposed total budget for the agriculture, water and land reform ministry is N$1.75 billion.

Study for veterinary barrier on Angola border to start

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-11

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Study for veterinary barrier on Angola border to start

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-11

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