FMD outbreak could reverse years of progress

“A foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak does not simply affect individual farmers. It can disrupt entire regional economies, suspend beef exports and reverse years of progress in our livestock sector. The stakes are extraordinarily high,” said Dr Fiona Anderson, manager of Agra ProVision, during the 2026 Agra Agricultural Academy graduation ceremony held on 6 March at the Agra Bank Windhoek Ring.

The threat directly jeopardises the nation’s international standing. Anderson noted that Namibia’s hard-earned FMD-free zones and access to premium markets, including the European Union, are therefore at risk.

“We need to do everything in our power to protect this. Maintaining these zones is essential for the sustainability of our multi-billion-dollar beef industry,” she said.

This is why the role of trained professionals is paramount, she added. Addressing the animal production and biosecurity graduates, she remarked: “In this context, our animal production graduates stand on the front line. Your training enables you to identify early clinical signs such as blistering on hooves, mouth lesions, excessive salivation and sudden lameness.”

She emphasised that swift action is the primary defence. “Early detection and immediate reporting provide the critical window needed to contain outbreaks before they spread.

“Furthermore, your expertise in biosecurity - from controlling animal movement and implementing quarantine procedures to managing watering points and ensuring proper disinfection - makes you indispensable in both prevention and response. You are not simply technicians. You are custodians of Namibia’s agricultural biosecurity,” Anderson concluded.