Namibia: EU Suspends Beef Exports From Namibia Due to Foot and Mouth Disease
[RFI] The largest market for Namibian beef, the European Union, announced it has suspended imports after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which wreaked havoc in Europe 25 years ago.
The European Union has halted the import of beef from Namibia following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease within the country. This decision follows Namibia's first recorded instance of foot-and-mouth disease in its main commercial livestock area in six decades. The suspension encompasses fresh meat from cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as certain processed meat products.
Despite the suspension, meat that has undergone the most stringent risk-reducing treatments can still enter the EU. The European Union is Namibia's biggest beef export market, absorbing over 80% of Namibia's annual beef exports, which amount to around 10 million kilograms. The EU ambassador stated that a quarter of the 40,000 jobs directly tied to exports to Europe would be impacted by this decision.
The last major foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the EU occurred in 2001, leading to the culling of more than six million animals. Foot-and-mouth disease, which causes fever and blisters near the hoof and in the mouth, can also lead to death. Since the outbreak was first recognized in Namibia on September 22nd, it has spread to 11 farms.
The government's response to the outbreak has included enhanced monitoring, tracing, testing, movement restrictions, veterinary roadblocks, and biosecurity measures.
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