Namibia's cattle FMD outbreak forces market closures and EU meat import suspension

Foot-and-mouth disease was identified on a commercial farm in the Karasburg district on 23 September and later on Kalala Island in the Zambezi Region, with more than a hundred positive cases across dozens of farms. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the formation of surveillance teams, roadblocks and emergency vaccination, and the Directorate of Veterinary Services imposed restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoof animals, cancelling livestock auctions and informal markets.

The outbreak has forced stalls in Windhoek’s Single Quarter market to close, driving up meat prices and jeopardising the incomes of street-food vendors and farmers. In response, the European Union temporarily suspended fresh meat and certain processed products from Namibia’s NA-1 export zone, though certified consignments issued before 23 September may still enter during a 90-day transition. Meat Corporation of Namibia placed about 400 workers on three weeks of paid leave and paid N$31 million for cattle already delivered, highlighting the economic strain. Officials and producers stress that regaining disease-free status is essential to reopen export markets and stabilise the national economy.