Karasburg:The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, announced that the government's immediate priority is to contain the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the Karasburg district before livestock trading can resume.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Zaamwani made this statement in the National Assembly on Tuesday in response to questions from Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani. Venaani inquired about the extent of livestock testing and the timeline for reopening auctions, asking whether FMD had been detected among sheep and goats in the predominantly small stock producing ||Kharas region.

The minister explained that the Cabinet has approved the construction of a containment zone within the Karasburg district, with plans to procure materials and begin vaccination of all animals in the area as soon as possible.

Testing is being conducted on all livestock species, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Laboratory tests have so far involved 2,910 cattle, 22,289 sheep, 4,114 goats, and nine pigs, with clinical signs observed in 127 cattle, 50 sheep, one goat, and one pig.

Zaamwani noted that livestock trading would resume gradually once the outbreak is contained and the ministry is confident it is under control. Some trading has already resumed for cattle found in kraals for auction, those in quarantine facilities, and slaughtered animals in abattoirs.

Additionally, Namibia is in discussions with South African authorities about the possible resumption of auction trading for the South African market. Technical officials from both countries held an online meeting on Tuesday to review procedures and protocols needed to facilitate the reopening of auctions.