Namibia urges farmers to keep livestock confined
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Namibia Economist
Illustrative image · vee terzy · Pexels · Licence PexelsNamibia's Agriculture Ministry asks farmers to keep their animals in fenced areas to limit the risk of foot-and-mouth disease spreading. Ministry spokesman Romeo Muyunda also recalls requirements for cattle identification and registration, as well as rules governing their movement, according to the Namibia Economist.
Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform is calling on farmers to keep their livestock in registered establishments and prevent them from roaming along roads and in public spaces. Its spokesman, Romeo Muyunda, believes that uncontrolled movement of animals poses a risk to animal health and efforts to combat foot-and-mouth disease.
Namibian regulations notably require cattle to be individually identified with approved ear tags and registered brands by six months of age at the latest, or earlier if they are moved. The animals must also be registered in the national system and moved with a veterinary permit issued by state veterinary services, according to the ministry.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services oversees compliance with these requirements. The ministry is working with local authorities and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to strengthen livestock confinement, while municipalities are planning facilities to accommodate stray animals. In communal areas, livestock are grouped into epidemiological units to facilitate health monitoring, according to Romeo Muyunda.
