Namibia praised at NAMPO for FMD resilience

Namibia’s livestock traceability system is a key factor in the country’s resilience against possible outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), according to the chief executive officer of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), Dr Phillip Oosthuysen.

Speaking during a media discussion on South Africa’s FMD outbreak at the National Grain Producers’ Organisation (NAMPO) Harvest Day, Oosthuysen praised Namibia’s preventative measures. “You have a better traceability system, and your cattle numbers are smaller, so you are better equipped to handle an FMD outbreak,” Oosthuysen said.

However, he added that Namibia should prioritise preventative vaccination programmes rather than waiting for an outbreak before vaccinating livestock.

His advice was echoed by RMIS chief operating officer Dewald Olivier, who said regional collaboration could play a critical role in both preventing and managing outbreaks. “One solution we have proposed is the creation of a regional antigen bank so that enough of the most effective vaccine can be produced as quickly as possible when an outbreak occurs,” Olivier said.

However, Olivier warned that Namibia should not become complacent, as an outbreak could have severe economic consequences. “Here is the warning to you: the effect on the Namibian economy would be far more severe than in South Africa,” he said.

Olivier added that RMIS engages quarterly with the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) to strengthen regional cooperation and preparedness.

Wider economic effects

The impact of FMD extends beyond the livestock sector and affects broader economic performance.

Senior agricultural economist at First National Bank South Africa, Paul Makube, said the country’s agricultural sector had previously outperformed other sectors before repeated FMD outbreaks undermined growth and investor confidence.

“Over the last few years, lapses in biosecurity have translated into losses in GDP. The economic cost of repeated outbreaks includes lost income, lost opportunities and reduced access to markets,” Makube said.

He noted that South Africa has suffered billions of rand in economic losses linked to recurring outbreaks and weakened biosecurity controls.