Staff Reporter
Meatco has suspended beef exports with immediate effect after the Namibia announced a Foot and Mouth outbreak in the southern safe zone of the country.
The company’s deputy chairperson, Stephanie De Klerk said in a statement released on Thursday confirmed the suspension of beef exports as part precautionary measures.
De Klerk’s remarks comes after confirmation of an outbreak in the Karasburg area of the //Kharas Region.
“In accordance with the national directive, Meatco has suspended further beef exports requiring movement under the affected arrangements until further guidance is received from the competent veterinary authorities,” she said. De Klerk said Meatco is working with veterinary authorities, logistics partners, customers and importing markets to establish the status of consignments already shipped or in transit when the outbreak was confirmed.
She said it is too early to determine whether any products will have to be returned, as this will depend on veterinary certification and the requirements of individual importing countries.
De Klerk said it is also too early to determine the full financial impact of the outbreak on Meatco.
“Management is assessing the operational and financial implications and will take appropriate measures to protect the business, its employees, producers, customers and other stakeholders,” she said.
The outbreak was detected during routine surveillance on 22 September, when veterinary officials observed 63 cattle showing clinical signs of FMD.
Samples were taken from 11 cattle and tested at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek, with 10 testing positive for the virus on 23 September.
Acting Agriculture Minister Charles Mubita subsequently announced nationwide control measures, including the suspension of the movement, marketing and trade of cloven hoofed animals and their raw products.
The government also suspended their import, export and transit, while slaughtering at local and export abattoirs, informal markets and social events was halted.
Roadblocks are also being established at strategic points to enforce the movement restrictions.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services has activated the National Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan and launched intensive surveillance to determine the extent of the outbreak.
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