Namibia's FMD response sets regional example
Namibia's approach to combating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has received strong regional endorsement following high-level engagements in Pretoria, where industry leaders and government representatives from across Southern Africa agreed that stronger collaboration is critical to containing the disease.
A delegation from the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) and the Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) attended two key events in South Africa: a round table hosted by the Trust in Animals and Food Safety (TAFS) Forum and the Swiss Embassy, followed by the Octavoscene FMD Symposium.
According to the NAU, while discussions focused largely on South Africa's ongoing FMD challenges, the meetings also reinforced confidence in Namibia's coordinated response, with delegates highlighting the country's public-private partnership model as a significant strength.
The TAFS Forum round table brought together representatives from the public and private sectors in South Africa, alongside delegates from Namibia and Eswatini, to discuss the regional implications of the disease and strategies to improve preparedness.
The NAU said that participants agreed that FMD cannot be tackled by individual countries acting alone and called for closer cooperation across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
According to the union, among the key recommendations were stronger public-private partnerships, improved data sharing between countries, transparent and depoliticised communication, the establishment of a regional SADC vaccine bank, and consideration of a vaccinated buffer zone along the Namibia-South Africa border.
The NAU said that delegates stressed that continued regional dialogue would be essential to strengthening disease control efforts and limiting the economic impact of future outbreaks.
It said that the second day of engagements shifted the focus to scientific advances and practical disease management during the Octavoscene FMD Symposium.
International experts presented the latest developments in FMD surveillance, vaccine strategies and outbreak response, including Germany's rapid containment of its 2025 outbreak.
Researchers also shared new findings on meat safety in cattle that have recovered from FMD, while South African authorities outlined their intensified response programme.
South Africa has vaccinated more than eight million cattle as part of its efforts to contain the disease, with experts emphasising that vaccination alone is not sufficient. Effective disease control also depends on strict biosecurity measures, livestock traceability, surveillance systems and movement controls.
Sturdy framework
For the Namibian delegation, the discussions served as confirmation that the country's existing response framework is moving in the right direction, said the NAU.
The union said that Namibia's national FMD Task Force and FMD Support Fund have, from the outset, brought together government, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), farmers' unions and the livestock industry under a coordinated structure.
According to the NAU, this integrated approach stands in contrast to South Africa, where broader stakeholder representation is still being incorporated into the country's response strategy.
The delegation described Namibia's collaborative model as a credit to government, the farming community and industry stakeholders who have maintained close cooperation under the leadership of the competent veterinary authority.
Despite the positive assessment, delegates cautioned that Namibia cannot afford to become complacent.
The union said that protecting the country's internationally recognised FMD-free status without vaccination will continue to depend on strong prevention measures, vigilant surveillance, strict biosecurity at borders and on farms, and sustained support for the country's existing coordination structures.
A recurring theme throughout the Pretoria discussions was the danger of "prevention fatigue" – the tendency to relax disease prevention efforts when no immediate outbreaks are detected.
Delegates warned that maintaining vigilance during periods of apparent calm is often the most critical factor in preventing future outbreaks.
The meetings concluded with a clear message that effective disease control relies as much on well-coordinated institutions and regional cooperation as it does on vaccines and scientific advances.
For Namibia, the discussions provided reassurance that the country's response structures are well established, while underscoring the importance of maintaining momentum to safeguard one of its most valuable agricultural assets and protect access to international livestock markets.
PRAISED: Representatives of the NAU and the Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) joined regional stakeholders in Pretoria last week for high-level discussions on foot-and-mouth disease. Photo: FILE
