Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
February 2026
The Namibian
Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibiasupportedelectrification of Namibia-Botswana border section by veterinary services
Source
“It added that an extensive section of the Namibia-Botswana border has been electrified by the directorate of veterinary services, with support from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, to prevent animal movement and contact between the countries.”
Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibiabrought togetherveterinary authorities, commercial producers, and industry players in workshop
Source
“A workshop convened by the LLPBN brought together veterinary authorities, commercial producers, and other key industry players to align preventive actions.”
Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibiasupportedprocurement of FMD equipment, vaccines and materials
Source
“Procured with the support of the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, the additional equipment, vaccines and related materials will form part of the FMD emergency mobile store, which will be deployed to suspected outbreak sites across the country immediately upon request from the directorate.”
Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibiahadsignificant impact through its meetings
Source
“The union confirmed that the poultry sector engaged with government on several occasions during 2025, and that the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) had a significant impact through its meetings.”
Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibiaprocuredequipment, vaccines and materials to combat FMD
Source
“Namibia, through the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, has placed its livestock sector on high alert after it procured equipment, vaccines and materials to combat potential outbreaks of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) countrywide.”
The livestock products boardput outnotice urging biosecurity awareness and FMD reporting
Source
“The livestock products board put out a notice, urging authorities, livestock owners and stakeholders to exercise increased biosecurity awareness, ensure compliance with veterinary protocols, and report any FMD cases immediately.”
Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibiaapprovedpartial subsidisation of lumpy skin disease vaccine at board meeting in November 2025
Source
“The NAU explained that the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) approved the partial subsidisation of the lumpy skin disease vaccine at its board meeting in November 2025, with effect from 1 February 2026.”
Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibiastatesveterinary cordon fence prevents spreading of animal diseases
Source
“According to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, the veterinary cordon fence prevents and controls the spreading of animal diseases throughout Namibia, which is of vital importance for Namibia's meat industry and ensures that meat products produced in the part of Namibia classified as free of foot-and-mouth disease can be exported to international markets.”
An animal auction at Oshaambelo Production Development Centre in Omusati sold 65 of 118 animals for N$373,150, with an auctioneer attributing low buyer participation to preference for informal trade. The ministry and livestock board support monthly auctions in the Northern Communal Areas to help farmers obtain fair prices through competition.
An animal auction at Oshaambelo Production Development Centre in Omusati sold 65 of 118 animals for N$373,150, with an auctioneer attributing low buyer participation to preference for informal trade. The ministry and livestock board support monthly auctions in the Northern Communal Areas to help farmers obtain fair prices through competition.
The Supreme Court of Namibia ruled that the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia did not meet the legal standard to claim "wasted costs" in a dispute linked to the veterinary cordon fence. The court found that the Board's claim that changes to court papers caused it to incur unnecessary legal costs did not meet the threshold for wasted costs.
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia is introducing a market share promotion scheme requiring importers to purchase from local producers before receiving import quotas, aimed at boosting domestic poultry production, food security, and job creation as Namibia currently produces about 85% of its poultry needs.
Namibia is self-sufficient in eggs and meets over 85% of its poultry demand through domestic production, which grew to a production value of N$1.74 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand further. The Poultry Producers' Association noted significant growth potential, though the sector faces supply gaps in processed poultry products and seeks export opportunities leveraging the country's disease-free status.
An animal auction at Otjetjekua village in Kunene raised N$583 200 from the sale of 75 out of 91 head of cattle, conducted by Harambee Communal Auctioneers in partnership with local cooperatives and government support. The auction highlighted farmer challenges including low buyer numbers and lack of modern facilities, prompting the cooperative to seek funding for improved infrastructure.
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.
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.
The Namibia Revenue Agency and key state institutions have signed the Inter-Agency Standard Operations Framework for Coordinated Border Management to improve coordination at Namibia's borders, reduce delays in goods movement, and strengthen infrastructure and security. NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute emphasised the need for effective implementation of initiatives like one-stop border posts and coordinated controls to support economic growth.
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.
A macroeconomic risk analysis by Simonis Storm Securities warns that if foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) disrupts Namibia's access to key international beef markets, the country could lose up to N$2.5 billion in export revenue over six months, with potential GDP growth reduction of 0.5 percentage points. Although Namibia remains FMD-free, recent outbreaks in Botswana and South Africa—particularly a case reported last month in South Africa's Northern Cape province, which borders Namibia—heighten the risk to the country's livestock sector and livelihoods of 70,000 to 90,000 workers in the industry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Foot-and-mouth disease cases in South Africa's Northern Cape and Botswana pose a significant risk to Namibia's livestock industry, valued at N$15 billion. The government has approved N$57.5 million for prevention but says N$1.5 billion more is needed to strengthen protective measures and maintain international market access.
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.
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.
The Ministry of Agriculture says Namibia's animal health systems are prepared to respond to foot-and-mouth disease risks from neighbouring countries experiencing outbreaks, and has implemented preventive measures including veterinary controls at ports of entry and a ban on meat and dairy imports from South Africa since September.
The Namibia Agricultural Union reports that the poultry sector is the second-largest contributor to farmers' cash receipts, with broiler production up 14.94% in 2024 and egg production up 6.63%. Growth is expected to continue in 2025, though the sector faces challenges from high input costs, climate variability, and animal health risks including potential avian influenza spillover from South Africa.
Namibia has procured equipment, vaccines and materials to combat foot-and-mouth disease, and established mobile emergency stores to respond to suspected outbreaks. The move comes as South Africa and Botswana battle mounting FMD cases, prompting strict border controls and import bans to protect Namibia's status as one of Africa's few FMD-free countries.
The Namibia Agricultural Union has announced that the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has approved a 15% subsidy for the lumpy skin disease vaccine, available to registered livestock producers on a first-come, first-served basis with effect from 1 February 2026. Claims are limited to 350 doses per producer per subsidy period, with payment made within one month of verification.
Namibia's N$8-billion annual red meat industry faces serious risk from foot-and-mouth disease spreading from South Africa, prompting authorities to implement biosecurity measures including vehicle disinfection at borders and a ban on South African meat, dairy, and live animals. Industry leaders warn that an outbreak would devastate exports to key markets including the EU, China, and the United States, causing farmer bankruptcies and widespread job losses.