Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) Inge Zaamwani says the ministry has put precautionary measures into place to prevent the foot and mouth disease (FMD) from entering the country through the South African border.

PDM MP Diederik Vries raised concerns regarding the foot and mouth disease outbreak in South Africa, stating that it could lead to dire consequences if it happens to cross the border.

"What is the level of preparedness of the ministry and the government with regard to the FMD, and in the event that the disease spills over into Namibia, what are your contingency plans to contain this disease or the outbreak?"

The minister says they are equally concerned about the issue in the neighbouring country and are aware that only one province in South Africa remains unaffected, namely the Northern Cape.
Zaamwani also revealed that the disease has also been detected in northern Botswana.
She says that efforts are underway to prevent the disease from entering Namibia.

"What we have done in terms of measures to try and prevent it is that we have intensified our spraying efforts at the borders, and we are busy working with the livestock and livestock product board to put a permanent wash station at the border with South Africa."