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Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Directorate of Veterinary Services

Also known as: DVS

Directorate of Veterinary Services — government agency responsible for livestock health control, border inspections, and disease surveillance in Namibia.

2025-05-242026-09-06
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. February 2026

  2. The Namibian

    The Directorate of Veterinary Services has implemented controls at ports of entry including vehicle and passenger disinfection

    Source

    “The Directorate of Veterinary Services has implemented controls at ports of entry, including disinfection of vehicles and passengers.”

    Govt vows readiness for foot-and-mouth

  3. Informanté

    Directorate of Veterinary Services engaged on Avian Influenza Master Plan with PPA

    Source

    “Engagement with the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) on an Avian Influenza Master Plan was a major step forward.”

    NAU reports strong growth in Namibia’s poultry sector

  4. Informanté

    Directorate of Veterinary Services has implemented stringent precautionary measures including border electrification and import restrictions

    Source

    “Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), supported by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPBN), has implemented stringent precautionary measures, including the electrification of border sections, intensified disinfection at border posts and airports, and restrictions on the import of animal products without valid permits.”

    Strict measures urged as Foot-and-Mouth Disease threat looms in Southern Africa

  5. New Era

    Directorate of Veterinary Services will request deployment of FMD emergency mobile store to outbreak sites

    Source

    “The country's procured additional equipment, vaccines and related materials will form part of the FMD emergency mobile store, which will be deplored to suspected outbreak sites across the country immediately upon request from the directorate.”

    Namibia procures equipment, vaccines to combat FMD …as SA, Botswana battle disease
  6. January 2026

  7. The Namibian

    Directorate of Veterinary Services has implemented controls at ports of entry through vehicle disinfection and strict product control

    Source

    “The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has also implemented controls at ports of entry through the disinfection of vehicles and passengers, and strict control of products entering Namibia.”

    Namibia on high alert as foot-and-mouth disease threatens N$8-billion red meat industry

  8. The Namibian

    Directorate of Veterinary Services conducted regional SADC slaughter audit in November

    Source

    “The Directorate of Veterinary Services conducted the regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) slaughter audit in November, which the company says has paved the way for European Union export certification targeted for 2026.”

    Savanna Beef secures N$40 million boost

  9. Informanté

    Directorate of Veterinary Services suspended importation of bran and other milling by-products from Angola

    Source

    “THE Directorate of Veterinary Services has suspended the importation of bran and other milling by-products from Angola.”

    Namibia bans importation of bran from Angola
  10. May 2025

  11. The Namibian

    Directorate of Veterinary Services has restricted the import of birds and fresh frozen bird products

    Source

    “Following an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Brazil, the Directorate of Veterinary Services has restricted the import of birds and fresh frozen bird products.”

    Namibia restricts Brazilian poultry imports over bird flu fears
Agriculture & Land

Livestock industry develops truck disinfection solution for South Africa backloads

The News

The Namibia Agriculture Union reports progress toward allowing livestock trucks to return from South Africa with backloads after undergoing approved cleaning and disinfection procedures aligned with World Organisation for Animal Health standards. The Livestock Producers' Organisation and Directorate of Veterinary Services are developing a system with certification and documentation to address logistical and financial burdens created by current foot-and-mouth disease restrictions.

27 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 27 August

  1. Livestock industry develops truck disinfection solution for South Africa backloads

    The Namibia Agriculture Union reports progress toward allowing livestock trucks to return from South Africa with backloads after undergoing approved cleaning and disinfection procedures aligned with World Organisation for Animal Health standards. The Livestock Producers' Organisation and Directorate of Veterinary Services are developing a system with certification and documentation to address logistical and financial burdens created by current foot-and-mouth disease restrictions.

    27 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 23 August

  1. South Africa sends vaccine doses to Namibia amid FMD outbreak

    South Africa's Agriculture Minister said South Africa is dealing with its largest-ever foot-and-mouth disease outbreak but bringing it increasingly under control, and has provided 50,000 vaccine doses each to Namibia, Eswatini and Lesotho to strengthen regional preparedness.

    23 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 20 August

  1. EU livestock inspections resume with temporary producer funding

    Namibian livestock producers supplying EU markets faced inspection suspensions when the Directorate of Veterinary Services' operational budget was exhausted. A temporary arrangement now allows producers to cover travel and related costs of state veterinarians conducting required EU certification inspections, channelled through the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia.

    20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 15 August

  1. EU livestock farm inspections suspended, temporary fix arranged

    Namibia's livestock export industry faced pressure when the Directorate of Veterinary Services suspended annual EU certification inspections due to budget exhaustion, risking producers' access to export markets; a temporary arrangement was reached with producers covering state veterinarian travel costs during the interim period.

    15 August 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Rabies case detected in Ondangwa dog; vaccination campaign launched

    A rabies case was detected in a dog at Extension Four in Ondangwa last Thursday. The Ondangwa Town Council and Directorate of Veterinary Services have launched an urgent vaccination campaign for dogs and cats in affected and surrounding areas, starting Wednesday at multiple venues and through a mobile vaccination team.

    11 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 10 August

  1. Ondangwa confirms rabies case; urgent pet vaccination campaign launched

    The Ondangwa Town Council has confirmed a positive rabies case in Extension 4 and launched an urgent vaccination campaign for dogs and cats in Extensions 2, 3, 4, and 6, with vaccinations scheduled from Wednesday, 12 August 2026, at designated locations and via mobile teams.

    10 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 3 August

  1. Meatco stays profitable despite cattle throughput decline of 53%

    The Agriculture Minister said Meatco remained profitable despite droughts and low cattle availability, with throughput south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence declining by 53% to 35,594 cattle. Revenue fell from N$1.865 billion to N$1.108 billion, but the company strengthened its financial position, increased cash reserves, and reduced accumulated losses.

    3 August 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 27 July

  1. Farmers unite to raise N$50m FMD protection fund

    Namibia's four farmers' unions have launched a campaign to raise N$50 million to protect the livestock industry from Foot-and-Mouth Disease, with more than N$12 million already pledged from farmers' unions, agribusinesses, financial institutions and industry partners. The initiative warns that a single FMD outbreak could cripple export markets, threaten rural livelihoods and damage the national economy.

    27 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 4 July

  1. Ariamsvlei border installs vehicle disinfection system for FMD control

    Namibia has installed a semi-automated vehicle disinfection spray system at Ariamsvlei border post to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. The two-stage system, the first of three planned installations at border posts, uses water followed by disinfectant to inactivate the FMD virus.

    4 July 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 13 June

  1. Government lifts livestock movement ban after buffalo tests negative for FMD

    The Directorate of Veterinary Services has lifted restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals in parts of Ohangwena and Kavango West regions after a buffalo spotted in June tested negative for foot and mouth disease and was euthanised.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. Over 120,000 dogs vaccinated as rabies control advances

    Namibia has vaccinated over 124,000 dogs in 2025 and more than 157,000 in 2024, achieving approximately 61% coverage nationally, according to the Chief Veterinary Officer. While the country has not yet reached its 70% vaccination target, national rabies positivity rates have dropped below 10%, with awareness campaigns reaching about 82% of schools in the Northern Communal Areas.

    20 April 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Namibia bans livestock imports from FMD-affected Botswana

    Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services has imposed an immediate ban on imports of cloven-hoofed animals and related products from designated zones in Botswana following confirmed foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. The directorate has also suspended poultry and poultry products from Argentina's Buenos Aires province due to highly pathogenic avian influenza.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 14 March

  1. Livestock board offers 15% subsidy on LSD vaccines

    The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia is offering cattle producers a 15% subsidy on approved Lumpy Skin Disease vaccines, available on a first-come, first-served basis since 1 February 2026. Registered producers must purchase approved vaccines, obtain vaccination certificates from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, and submit claims with original receipts and bank confirmation letters, with applications limited to 350 doses per producer per subsidy period.

    14 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 13 March

  1. Namibia launches regional awareness campaign on Foot-and-Mouth Disease

    The Directorate of Veterinary Services will conduct a regional awareness campaign on Foot-and-Mouth Disease from 16 to 20 March 2026 across seven regions, in collaboration with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board and farmers' unions, to strengthen preparedness and response to the ongoing FMD threat in the SADC region.

    13 March 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Namibia restricts livestock imports from Botswana over FMD outbreak

    Namibia has imposed immediate restrictions on the importation and in-transit movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from ten zones in Botswana following confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks reported by Botswana's Veterinary Authority. The measure aims to prevent introduction of the FMD virus into Namibia, though imports from other zones remain permitted with veterinary approval.

    11 March 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 9 March

  1. Namibian delegation shares FMD control strategies at Cape Town conference

    Namibian livestock and veterinary representatives participated in the 2026 International Forum for Transboundary Animal Diseases and Food Safety Conference in Cape Town, where regional and international experts discussed strategies to prevent and control Foot and Mouth Disease in Southern Africa. The conference emphasised the importance of surveillance, early detection, regional coordination, and cross-border communication, with several partners expressing interest in supporting Namibia's efforts to maintain its FMD-free zone without vaccination.

    9 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. Driest January since 1981 prompts proactive farming strategies

    Namibia's Meteorological Services reported the driest January since 1981, with uneven rainfall posing risks to livestock and crop production. The article urges farmers to take early action—such as selling vulnerable animals and securing irrigation—and calls on policymakers to support export abattoirs, subsidize irrigation systems, and strengthen border security against foot-and-mouth disease.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Government and private sector mobilize N$13m to prevent livestock disease

    Namibia has launched an FMD Support Fund and Task Force to protect its N$15 billion livestock industry from Foot-and-Mouth Disease, with 11 partners pledging nearly N$13 million. The effort aims to strengthen surveillance, border biosecurity, and response capacity amid heightened risk from FMD outbreaks in neighbouring countries.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

  3. Namibia launches N$13 million foot-and-mouth disease fund

    Namibia's newly established foot-and-mouth disease support fund, organized by farmers' unions, the Directorate of Veterinary Services, and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, has raised N$12.76 million from corporations and unions to strengthen biosecurity and emergency response. The fund aims to raise N$50 million to complement N$57 million allocated by the agriculture ministry for awareness, prevention, and rapid response efforts.

    3 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Private, public sectors pledge N$11m to FMD prevention fund

    Private and public sector partners have pledged over N$11.2 million towards a newly launched Foot and Mouth Disease Support Fund targeting N$50 million to strengthen Namibia's prevention capacity, veterinary surveillance, and outbreak response. The move comes as Namibia faces increasing FMD risk from neighbouring South Africa and Botswana, with a national FMD Task Force established to coordinate prevention and containment strategies.

    2 March 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 1 March

  1. Namibia protects FMD-free status to maintain beef export markets

    Namibia has reaffirmed that its foot-and-mouth disease-free status without vaccination is essential for protecting export markets and the agricultural economy, warning that unauthorized vaccine use could jeopardize this standing and result in severe financial losses. The country manages FMD risk through strict movement controls, surveillance, and border measures, with vaccination reserved only for outbreaks under veterinary authority, as the no-vaccination policy in the free zone allows access to high-value international meat markets.

    1 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 27 February

  1. Agriculture Ministry launches FMD support fund and task force

    Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture has established the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Support Fund and FMD Task Force to protect the livestock sector against potential outbreaks, with private sector pledges including N$2 million each from Bank Windhoek and FirstRand, and N$3 million annually from the Namibia Agricultural Union. The initiatives will support vaccination campaigns, border biosecurity, veterinary infrastructure, and farmer awareness programmes to safeguard Namibia's N$15 billion livestock industry.

    27 February 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Namibia launches FMD support fund with N$11 million pledged

    The foot-and-mouth disease support fund was officially launched at the agriculture ministry with industry pledges of N$11 million. The fund, a coordinated effort between the four national farmers' unions and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, aims to finance awareness programmes, farmer training, and rapid responses to any outbreak, with a first-phase target of N$50 million.

    27 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 26 February

  1. FMD vaccination would cost Namibia premium beef export markets

    Namibia's livestock industry has warned that vaccinating against foot-and-mouth disease would severely damage the sector by making the country ineligible for premium markets such as the EU, UK, and US, which collectively import the majority of Namibian beef at high-value prices. Officials stress that Namibia's status as "FMD-free without vaccination" is crucial for market access, and any vaccination south of the veterinary fence is illegal; the Directorate of Veterinary Services has warned it will confiscate and cull illegally vaccinated cattle.

    26 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 February

  1. Minister outlines support measures for unregistered veterinary graduates

    Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has outlined interventions to support more than 30 veterinary graduates unable to practise due to unregistered status with the Namibian Veterinary Council, including three attempts at registration exams, temporary registration during preparation, UNAM's eight-week preparatory module (with 2024 fee coverage), and an internship programme facilitated by the Directorate of Veterinary Services.

    25 February 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Namibia to cull cattle illegally vaccinated against FMD

    The chief veterinary officer warned that cattle found to have been illegally vaccinated against foot and mouth disease will be culled, as vaccination south of the veterinary cordon fence would cost Namibia its FMD-free status and access to international beef markets. Recent FMD outbreaks in South Africa and Botswana have prompted increased surveillance in Namibian border regions.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 February

  1. Namibia launches private sector Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention fund

    Namibia's livestock industry has launched a privately-funded Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Support Fund to strengthen prevention and emergency response measures, amid regional FMD cases in South Africa and Botswana that could threaten the country's N$15 billion livestock sector. The fund, led by four national farmers' unions, seeks N$50 million in private contributions to support veterinary authorities and coordinate industry action against potential outbreaks.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Foot-and-mouth disease threatens Namibia's livestock exports

    With FMD spreading in neighbouring South Africa and Botswana, Namibia's livestock industry—valued at N$6–15 billion and heavily reliant on exports—faces an imminent threat. An outbreak could devastate export markets, employment, food prices, and government budgets across multiple economic sectors.

    17 February 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 15 February

  1. Namibia strengthens FMD prevention as outbreaks emerge regionally

    Following Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks in neighbouring countries, Namibia's agricultural sector has restructured its FMD response framework to enhance coordination between government and private stakeholders, with focus on surveillance and disinfection measures in high-risk border areas to maintain the country's FMD-free status.

    15 February 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 12 February

  1. Namibia allocates N$57m for FMD control, seeks N$1.5bn more

    Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani announced government approval of N$57 million for biosecurity measures to protect Namibia's FMD-free status, but said the country needs an estimated N$1.5 billion additional funding to establish vaccine storage facilities, buffer zones, and other disease containment infrastructure amid rising FMD cases in neighboring South Africa and Botswana.

    12 February 2026 · New Era →

Directorate of Veterinary Services — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute