Governor calls for strict FMD restrictions adherence

Steven Klukowski

KEETMANSHOOP -//Kharas governor, Dawid Gertze says measures intended to safeguard the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) must be respected to the latter.

This is after the region was identified as the epicentre of the recently announced FMD outbreak within the Karasburg State Veterinary District.

“In the immediate aftermath of this alarming discovery, sweeping nationwide restrictions were justly imposed to secure the country and safeguard our national herd,” he informed those present. The regional political head continued: “This is a do or die situation, and I am hereby calling on the police to act very strictly when enforcing the law without fear or favour.’’

Citing examples of transgressing restrictions put in place, Gertze said it will not be fair for a regional governor to pass veterinary control points without his car being inspected or a town’s mayor to transport meat in restricted areas.

The politician then strongly emphasised that, if a citizen must comply with the law/restrictions or be charged for transgressing the law, it should be applied accordingly. “In addition, farmers must strictly control all exits and entrances at their properties to prevent the illegal transport of cloven-hoofed animals and their products out of the //Kharas region,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a recent media statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Kenneth Shoombe, said the //Kharas region remains locked down, and farmers are urged to monitor livestock for symptoms like mouth blisters and excessive salivation.

The document continued that, except in the //Kharas region, animals held at registered, veterinary-approved feedlots or quarantine stations with approved biosecurity may move directly to abattoirs for slaughter under a veterinary permit.

Additionally, Namibia Livestock Traceability System records must show no new animal introductions in the past 30 days, whilst animals must also pass clinical examination and test negative for FMD.

Furthermore, livestock may be slaughtered at registered abattoirs provided the animals have been isolated for 30 days before slaughter and have tested negative for FMD. Slaughtering for home consumption is permitted, provided the meat and meat products are not moved or transported from the slaughter premises. Slaughtering at a farm or homestead for sale is prohibited until further notice.

When interviewed by this publication, local resident Adolf Bock said the restrictions on the consumption of red meat might affect the livelihoods of many households.

“I grew up on a farm where there was never a scarcity of red meat, and as we southerners are known as ‘meat eaters’, it might be difficult to adapt to a diet excluding red meat, but hopefully the situation might turn back to normal soonest,’ he expressed the hope.

-sklukowski@nepc.com.na

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