The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has suspended further beef exports. This follows the detection of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at a commercial farm at Karasburg.
Meatco deputy board chairperson Stephanie De Klerk says Meatco is complying with measures introduced by the directorate of veterinary services (DVS) to contain the outbreak.
The DVS activated the national FMD contingency plan after the disease was confirmed. The measures include suspending the movement and marketing of cloven-hoofed animals, slaughtering at abattoirs as well as imports and exports of cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products.
Meatco said on Thursday it has suspended beef exports that require movement under the affected arrangements until veterinary authorities provide further guidance.
“Namibia has built a strong reputation for the integrity of its animal-health and beef-export systems. Meatco will continue to act responsibly and transparently while the authorities undertake the necessary surveillance and control measures,” De Klerk says.
De Klerk calls on livestock producers, Meatco employees and other industry players to cooperate with veterinary authorities and rely on official information about the outbreak.
