Imelda Ambondo
The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has announced that no importation and in-transit movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from parts of Botswana into Namibia.
The restriction applies to cloven-hoofed animals and their products, including products meant for personal or household consumption, from several zones in Botswana.
“The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) hereby informs the public of the immediate restriction on the importation and in-transit movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products including products intended for personal or household consumption,” the notification reads.
The ministry said the measure follows the confirmation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in Botswana.
“This measure follows the confirmation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in Botswana, as reported through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) and the updated FMD report issued by the Veterinary Authority of Botswana on 04 March 2026,” said Chief Veterinary Officer Kenneth Kennedy Shoombe.
Shoombe explained that the restriction is meant to prevent the disease from spreading into Namibia.
“The movement restriction aims at mitigating the risk of introducing FMD virus into Namibia,” he said.
However, the notice says movement of cloven-hoofed animals, animal products and restricted materials from zones 4a, 4b, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 is still allowed, but only with a veterinary import permit.
“For further information or clarification, importers are advised to contact the veterinary import control office,” he said.
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