Namibia suspends livestock movements and trade after FMD outbreak in disease-free zone

Namibia has suspended livestock movements and halted imports and exports of cloven-hoofed animals after confirming foot-and-mouth disease in its internationally recognised FMD-free zone. Ten cattle tested positive in the Karasburg district, triggering immediate containment measures and raising concerns over the country’s economically important beef export sector.

Namibia has shut livestock movement and suspended animal trade after foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in its internationally recognised free zone, threatening one of the country’s most important export earners. The outbreak, detected in the Karasburg district, comes only days before a major agricultural show and has prompted industry calls for a state of emergency. The episode underlines how quickly animal disease can disrupt market access, rural incomes and foreign exchange in a sector built on biosecurity.

Acting agriculture minister Charles Mubita told parliament on Wednesday that routine surveillance found 11 cattle with signs of infection, and that 10 samples later tested positive at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek. The ministry has since halted the movement of cloven-hoofed animals, their products, hides, and dairy and meat goods, while also stopping imports and exports.

The Namibia Agricultural Union backed the veterinary authorities and urged farmers to comply immediately with restrictions, tighten farm biosecurity and report any suspect cases. Thinus Pretorius, the union’s president, said discipline across the supply chain would determine whether the outbreak is contained quickly.

The damage could be severe. According to local reporting, Namibia’s beef exports rose sharply in the first half of 2026, while the country earned about N$2.1bn from beef exports in 2025. The crisis revives long-running concerns over the veterinary cordon fence, or red line, which Namibia reactivated in April after an earlier FMD scare.