EU halts Namibian beef imports after first foot-and-mouth outbreak in 60 years
Europe buys more than four-fifths of Namibia's beef exports. The disease has reached 11 farms in the south since it was declared on 22 September.
Windhoek — The European Union has temporarily suspended imports of beef and other meat from Namibia after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the south of the country, Radio France Internationale reports.
The suspension covers fresh meat and some processed products from cattle, sheep, goats and other hoofed animals. It was confirmed by the EU's ambassador to Namibia, Ana Beatriz Martins.
Why it matters
The EU takes more than 80 per cent of Namibia's beef exports, about 10 million kilograms a year. Namibia's access to that market has rested on its disease-free status south of its veterinary cordon fence. The report says about a quarter of the industry's 40,000 direct export jobs are affected.
Namibia declared the outbreak on 22 September. It is the first in the affected area in roughly 60 years, and it has since spread to 11 farms. The government has banned the movement of livestock across the country, according to the agriculture ministry's spokesman, Romeo Muyunda. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appealed for national cooperation in containing it.
A regional problem
Foot-and-mouth disease causes fever and blisters that stop animals feeding. It is sometimes fatal and spreads quickly. Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are also dealing with the disease.
Europe's caution has a history: an outbreak there in 2001 led to the slaughter of more than six million animals.
This report is based on reporting by RFI, via AllAfrica.
