Namibia is intensifying efforts to safeguard its internationally recognised foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free zone following rising outbreaks in the Southern African region.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR), Inge Zaamwani, says despite Namibia's status as a Foot and Mouth Disease free (FMD) zone, developments in neighbouring countries necessitate heightened surveillance and vigilance.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform has urged the farming community not to panic amidst the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease in some SADC countries.
 
The disease has been confirmed in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
 

The movement of dried meat of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and certain wild animals is now allowed into the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) free zone without a veterinary permit, provided that all portions of the meat are cooked and free of blood.