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.”
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has appointed Vehaka M. Tjimune as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2026. Tjimune brings more than 37 years of leadership experience in the agri-food sector across government, producer organisations, the private sector and international development institutions.
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has appointed Vehaka M. Tjimune as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2026. Tjimune brings more than 37 years of leadership experience in the agri-food sector across government, producer organisations, the private sector and international development institutions.
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has appointed Vehaka Tjimune as its new chief executive. Tjimune brings more than 37 years' experience in agriculture and food sectors across government, private sector, and international development institutions, and most recently served as senior policy adviser for agriculture and land at GIZ.
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.
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.
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.
André Rossouw Trust, Namibia's largest goat exporter, has withdrawn from the live-goat export market, citing rising costs—including testing, permits, and transport—that make up about 30% of the average auction price and logistical challenges such as delays in test results. The withdrawal affects the KwaZulu-Natal market in South Africa and poses concerns for emerging and communal farmers dependent on the goat trade.
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.
Namibia and the United States are strengthening cooperation in the livestock sector through a roadshow hosted by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia and the Namibian Stud Breeders Association, seeking alternative sources of high-quality breeding stock and reproductive material as regional livestock disease outbreaks disrupt traditional supply chains.
A US delegation including officials from the Department of Agriculture's foreign agricultural service and the US Livestock Genetics Export organisation is visiting Namibia to explore opportunities for cooperation in livestock genetics. The visit, hosted by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, includes farm tours and a business-to-business networking session with Namibian stud breeders, as local breeders face challenges accessing superior genetics due to foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa.
Sheep farmers at a Livestock Producers Organisation indaba in Mariental unanimously agreed to establish a producer-driven company to improve farm profitability and increase producer participation in the livestock value chain. Founder shares will cost N$7500 per share, with Cirrus Capital appointed to implement the offering.
Namibia's Livestock and Livestock Products Board will implement a standardised definition of "carcass" and "cold dressed mass" from 1 August 2026 to ensure uniform weighing procedures and payment practices across all abattoirs. The amendment applies to cattle, sheep, goat and pig producers and abattoir operators, specifying which parts must be removed or retained and establishing consistent deductions before payment.
Namibian weaner calf prices are trading significantly below South African levels, with LLPBN auction data showing prices averaging around N$34.47 per kilogram compared to South African prices of around R46.03 per kilogram. The widening gap is attributed to higher export costs, foot-and-mouth disease restrictions, and logistical challenges.
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has introduced changes to the livestock trade permit regime to improve trade facilitation, including allowing transfer of ownership of controlled livestock products between registered importers and extending transit permit validity from seven to fourteen days.
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.
Zambia has lifted its export ban on maize grain and maize meal, allowing Namibian businesses to resume imports through the Zambian Commodities Exchange (ZAMACE) platform. The move, notified to Namibia's agricultural sector through official channels, is expected to improve access to maize supplies for Namibia.
Local livestock producer prices remained broadly firm during the week ending 15 June, with premium beef cattle commanding prices of up to N$79.50 per kilogram and slaughter sheep selling for more than N$41/kg on average at auction, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia.
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.