The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has declared a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control area within the FMD-free zone in the ||Kharas Region.

In a statement, the ministry announced that the measure aims to safeguard the country's free status regarding FMD and to protect access to international export markets.
The FMD control areas declared include a band covering two farms or extending 10 kilometers south of the Mata Mata border post up the Orange River.

It also includes another band covering two adjacent farms, extending 10 kilometers of the Orange River and all settlements within the zone.

It also includes any area north of the Orange River, extending westward to the Atlantic Ocean.
The ministry noted that the declaration should not create an assumption that there is an FMD disease outbreak in Namibia.

It said the country continues to maintain its FMD-free status without vaccination, which enables access to premium international markets.

According to the ministry, the precautionary declaration intends to prevent the introduction of FMD disease, particularly in light of increased activity in Botswana and South Africa.

Farmers in the declared control areas are urged to comply with strict disease control measures to safeguard livestock health, protect livelihoods and preserve Namibia's international trade status.