The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) has called for an urgent, science-based pathway to restore Namibia’s access to the European meat market following the European Union’s temporary suspension of certain Namibian meat imports after the country’s foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The union says controlling the FMD outbreak and reopening export markets must now be treated with the same determination. While respecting the EU’s decision as a standard animal-health measure following an outbreak in a recognised FMD-free zone, the NAU stressed that the suspension must remain temporary. “Namibian meat” must return to European shelves “as soon as possible”, the union said.
Namibia had maintained its FMD-free zone for more than 60 years, supported by strict veterinary controls, traceability systems and producers operating to high international standards.
The NAU argues that a single outbreak confined to one district should not erase that longstanding record. The union welcomed the EU’s recognition of the swift, transparent and professional response by Namibia’s Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), saying this should provide a foundation for continued engagement with trading partners. But the financial consequences are already a major concern. “Every week that our markets remain closed costs producers, farmworkers and rural communities dearly,” the NAU warned.
The suspension could place significant financial pressure on farmers already facing movement restrictions, disrupted livestock sales and uncertainty over their income. The NAU said it fully supports DVS efforts to contain the outbreak and urged producers to continue complying with veterinary directives.
Farmers are also being encouraged to plan conservatively and engage their financial institutions early to manage potential cash-flow pressures. The union says Namibia’s priority must now be twofold: contain FMD and rebuild confidence in the country’s export status.
For an industry built over decades around access to premium international markets, the race is not only to stop the disease — but to get Namibian meat back onto European shelves.
By Rudi Bowe
