The Livestock and Livestock Products Board is urging livestock producers and stakeholders to take proactive measures to protect the foot and mouth disease-free zone. 

The Board argues that an outbreak south of the veterinary cordon fence would trigger an export ban and have adverse economic consequences for the multi-billion-dollar livestock industry.

The call was made during an FMD awareness campaign meeting at Aroab Village in the ||Kharas Region attended by farmers. 

The awareness campaigns spearheaded by the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board, are being conducted in the ||Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke Regions.

The Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Immanuel Kikufe, said it could take up to 12 months to regain the country's FMD-free status following a disease outbreak. 

Statistics revealed by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board show that in 2023, the country's cattle population was estimated at 2.7 million, while goats and sheep were estimated at 2.3 million and 2.2 million, respectively.