Namibia Alarms Beef Industry: Illegal Vaccines Threaten Exports

Namibia's government has issued a sharp warning to farmers: unauthorized foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines are a major national threat. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that only the state veterinary authority is legally allowed to possess FMD vaccines within the country's designated disease-free zone. This zone is critical for Namibia's valuable beef export industry. Officials warn that illegal vaccines and livestock smuggling from neighboring countries could introduce new virus strains. This would jeopardize Namibia's hard-won FMD-free status. Losing this status would immediately halt beef exports to key markets. The beef industry is a major pillar of the national economy. The ministry did not specify new enforcement measures. However, it emphasized that using illegal vaccines is a serious crime. The warning aims to protect the country's agricultural security and economic health.