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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia Agricultural Union

Also known as: NAU

Industry organization representing Namibian farmers, coordinating response to foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and advocating for market access restoration.

2023-05-062026-10-22
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News reports

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What’s been said

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  1. August 2026

  2. Informanté

    Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Office of the Prime Minister to strengthen disaster preparedness

    Source

    “THE Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in Namibia's agricultural sector.”

    OPM, NAU strengthen disaster preparedness for agricultural sector

  3. Informanté

    Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) estimated cost of exporting 800-goat truckload in 2026 at about N$388,155

    Source

    “According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the estimated cost of exporting an 800-goat truckload in 2026 amounts to about N$388 155, translating to approximately N$485 per goat.”

    Goat exports face balancing act between animal health and producer returns

  4. The Namibian

    Namibia Agricultural Union established a fund for fighting foot-and-mouth disease

    Source

    “The Namibia Agricultural Union, the Namibia National Farmers' Union, the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers' Union and the Previously Disadvantaged Namibian Farmers' Union at the launch came together under the theme 'One Nation. One Herd. One Responsibility' and established a fund for the fight against FMD.”

    Otjombinde youth fighting FMD
  5. July 2026

  6. Informanté

    Namibia Agricultural Union signed 10-year memorandum with NAMPOL and three other farmers' unions

    Source

    “The agreement, signed at Police National Headquarters, brings together the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers' Union (NECFU), Namibia National Farmers' Union (NNFU) and Previously Disadvantaged Namibians' Farmers' Union (PDNFU) in a joint effort to improve rural safety.”

    Police, farmers’ unions sign agreement to strengthen fight against rural crime

  7. The Namibian

    NAU president Thinus Pretorius said at the event leadership campaign and FMD Support Fund were complementary outcomes of partnership

    Source

    “NAU president Thinus Pretorius at the event said the leadership campaign and the FMD Support Fund were the complementary outcomes of that partnership, and emphasised that the interconnected nature of the livestock sector means a weakness anywhere in the value chain becomes a risk to everyone.”

    Farmers’ unions gunfor N$50m war chest against FMD

  8. The Namibian

    Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) signed 10-year agreement with police and three other farmers' organisations to prevent stock theft

    Source

    “The police and four farmers' organisations have signed a 10-year agreement to strengthen efforts to prevent stock theft and other crimes affecting farmers across the country.”

    Police, farmers join forces to fight stock theft
  9. June 2026

  10. Informanté

    The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) reminded farmers and the public to comply with legal documentation requirements for transporting livestock, meat, game products, warthogs and warthog meat

    Source

    “THE Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) has reminded farmers and the public to comply with legal documentation requirements when transporting livestock, meat, game products, as well as warthogs and warthog meat, warning that failure to comply could result in enforcement action.”

    Farmers reminded of livestock, meat and warthog transport requirements

  11. Informanté

    The NAU warned that hunting permits do not replace veterinary authorisation required for warthog product movement

    Source

    “A hunting permit, permit for own use or donation letter does not replace the veterinary authorisation required for the movement of warthog products, the organisation warned.”

    Farmers reminded of livestock, meat and warthog transport requirements

  12. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) said it had received official notification of Zambia's decision to lift export ban on maize

    Source

    “The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) said it had received official notification of the decision through the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform (MAFWLR).”

    Maize supply opportunities open as Zambia lifts export ban
  13. May 2026

  14. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Agricultural Union had 2,075 main members

    Source

    “The submissions represent 20.3% of the Namibia Agricultural Union's 2 075 main members.”

    Farmer participation in wage survey remains low
Agriculture & Land

Namibia livestock industry seeks interim trade measures during FMD outbreak

The News

Namibia's livestock industry plans to propose measures allowing animals to move to abattoirs under veterinary control during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and livestock trade suspension. The industry has also asked authorities to consider interim trade arrangements while formal market-access processes proceed, which the Namibia Agricultural Union said could take six to seven months.

19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 19 October

  1. Namibia livestock industry seeks interim trade measures during FMD outbreak

    Namibia's livestock industry plans to propose measures allowing animals to move to abattoirs under veterinary control during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and livestock trade suspension. The industry has also asked authorities to consider interim trade arrangements while formal market-access processes proceed, which the Namibia Agricultural Union said could take six to seven months.

    19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 18 October

  1. Foot-and-mouth disease halts livestock sales in Zambezi region

    An FMD outbreak confirmed at Kalala Island on 7 October has led to suspension of livestock auctions, movement restrictions and a ban on slaughtering in the Zambezi region, leaving farmers and informal traders unable to sell cattle for household expenses and school fees.

    18 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

  1. FMD meat safe for human consumption, experts confirm

    Meat from animals infected with foot-and-mouth disease can be safely consumed by people, as FMD does not spread to humans. Namibia's current outbreak, confirmed in the ||Kharas region and now affecting 15 farms, is an animal health emergency with economic impact, not a human health risk.

    8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. NAU urges government to swiftly restore EU meat export access

    The Namibia Agricultural Union has called on government and industry stakeholders to treat the recovery of export markets with determination following the EU's temporary suspension of certain meat imports from Namibia after an FMD outbreak. The union emphasized that Namibia maintained its FMD-free zone for more than 60 years and expects the suspension to remain temporary, with market restoration beginning immediately.

    6 October 2026 · Informanté →

  2. EU temporarily suspends Namibian beef imports over FMD outbreak

    The European Union has temporarily suspended imports of fresh beef, sheep and goat meat, and certain processed meat products from Namibia following a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak confirmed last month in the ||Kharas region and now affecting 11 farms. The EU ambassador says Namibia's market share is small and EU businesses will source beef from other suppliers, with limited market impact expected.

    6 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 4 October

  1. Agricultural workers must receive minimum wage during FMD outbreak

    Despite the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting the livestock sector, farmers remain required to pay agricultural workers the national minimum wage—N$14 per hour from 1 January, rising to N$18 next year—with no government exemption announced. The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says all employers must comply unless officially notified otherwise, though regional authorities are discussing the wage issue as part of developing an outbreak response plan.

    4 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 3 October

  1. FMD Support Fund mobilises N$1.5 million in emergency supplies

    The FMD Support Fund has mobilised more than N$1.5 million worth of biosecurity products, surveillance kits and camping equipment to support 30 Directorate of Veterinary Services teams responding to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the //Kharas Region, with supplies provided by industry partners Agra, CYMOT, Agrimark and SWAVET.

    3 October 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 1 October

  1. EU assesses FMD outbreak; support fund mobilises N$1.5m response

    The European Union is assessing Namibia's foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and any protective measures needed for EU animal and public health, with the EU commending Namibian authorities' response. The FMD Support Fund has mobilised more than N$1.5 million in biosecurity products, surveillance kits and camping equipment for Namibia's FMD response.

    1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 28 September

  1. Govt partially lifts FMD restrictions north of Veterinary Cordon Fence

    The Ministry of Agriculture announced a partial lifting of Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions, with movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals and their products lifted with immediate effect for the north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, though movement of such animals and products to the north of the fence remains restricted. The //Kharas region stays locked down, and farmers must monitor livestock for FMD symptoms while adhering to strict biosecurity and testing requirements for animal movement and slaughter.

    28 September 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 27 September

  1. FMD outbreak halts livestock auctions nationwide

    Foot-and-mouth disease confirmed at a commercial farm in Karasburg has prompted the government to suspend movement, trade, slaughter, imports and exports of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, forcing auctioneers to cancel sales across the country.

    27 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 26 September

  1. FMD outbreak forces postponement of agricultural union congresses

    The Namibia Agricultural Union and Livestock Producers' Organisation have postponed their regional congresses, originally scheduled for early October, to allow the agricultural sector to focus on addressing the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

    26 September 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 25 September

  1. Namibia tightens livestock movement controls over FMD outbreak

    Namibia has suspended the movement, marketing and trade of all cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products nationwide following detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the country's internationally recognised FMD-free zone. The Directorate of Veterinary Services has established additional roadblocks and halted slaughtering at local and export abattoirs, informal markets and social events until further notice.

    25 September 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Namibia prepared for FMD outbreak through yearlong stakeholder coordination

    The Namibia Professional Hunting Association, Namibia Agricultural Union, and government stakeholders spent a year preparing for a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The association's president urged members to follow veterinary control measures, avoid spreading rumours, and strengthen biosecurity on their properties.

    25 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Namibia confirms FMD outbreak; halts livestock exports

    Namibia detected Foot and Mouth Disease cases south of the veterinary cordon fence in the //Kharas region after 10 of 11 cattle samples tested positive. The government imposed an immediate nationwide suspension on movement, marketing, import and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their by-products.

    25 September 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 24 September

  1. FMD outbreak confirmed in south; NAU seeks emergency declaration

    Foot-and-Mouth Disease has been confirmed in Namibia's FMD-free zone after 10 of 11 cattle samples from Karasburg tested positive, prompting the government to suspend all cloven-hoofed animal movement and trade. The Namibia Agricultural Union is preparing to call for a state of emergency, while activist Job Amupanda warns against meat movement from the FMD-affected south to the north and questions whether the outbreak should reinforce the veterinary cordon fence.

    24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Foot-and-Mouth Disease confirmed in Namibia's FMD-free zone

    Ten of eleven cattle samples from the Karasburg State Veterinary District have tested positive for Foot-and-Mouth Disease. The government has suspended movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products across the country, with potential financial consequences for farmers, transporters, abattoirs, and rural households.

    24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 23 September

  1. Namibian sheep producers launch NamLamb national brand initiative

    Namibian sheep producers have launched NamLamb, a national branding initiative for veld-raised lamb aimed at building consumer recognition and expanding market opportunities for local farmers. The initiative, founded by producers Lenn de Jager and Hannes Agenbach, focuses on naturally raised lamb without hormones and has received financial support including N$250,000 from Bank Windhoek.

    23 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. El Niño threatens drought; Rehoboth orders livestock herd cuts

    Local authorities and agricultural experts are urging farmers to reduce livestock numbers to prevent overgrazing ahead of the 2026/27 rainy season, as El Niño threatens below-normal rainfall. Rehoboth Town Council has instructed farmers using Townlands No 302 to reduce to a maximum of 35 large stock units and 80 small stock units per tenant.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Pig farmers urged to monitor feed costs and efficiency

    Pig farming experts told producers at a Pig Producers Association of Namibia session to measure feed costs per kilogram of weight gain and adjust diets by growth stage to improve efficiency and competitiveness. A business developer also noted a knowledge gap in the industry and encouraged farmers to attend information sessions and use online training.

    10 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 8 September

  1. Namibia enlists SA firm to accredit livestock truck wash bays

    The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has contracted South African firm AfriCompliance to accredit 15 truck disinfection facilities in South Africa to prevent foot-and-mouth disease transmission through livestock vehicles returning from deliveries. The accreditation will ensure facilities comply with biosecurity standards and effective cleaning procedures as part of Namibia's efforts to reduce FMD introduction risk.

    8 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. CRAN plans two to three LEO satellite pilot sites

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia is establishing two to three pilot sites to test Low Earth Orbit satellite technology in underserved areas, including commercial and communal agricultural land and a community project. The regulator discussed the proposal with Namibia's four farmers' unions and established a Universal Service Fund in December 2024 to support infrastructure construction in areas lacking telecommunications access.

    8 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Farm employers cite high wage costs amid 4% job decline

    The Agricultural Employers' Association says compulsory benefits make farmworker remuneration higher than other sectors, citing a survey of 420 employers covering over 3,000 workers across all regions. The survey found average farmworker basic salary at N$3,599.69 per month (N$18.46 per hour), up 22.8% from 2024, and reports a 4% employment decline in the sector.

    2 September 2026 · The Namibian →

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 →

Saturday 22 August

  1. Namibian farm delegation discusses FMD management in Pretoria

    Delegates from the Namibia Agricultural Union and Livestock Producers Organisation attended meetings in Pretoria to discuss foot-and-mouth disease control and regional FMD management, concluding that success depends on stronger public-private partnerships, improved data sharing, honest communication, and a possible vaccinated buffer zone along the South Africa-Namibia border.

    22 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 20 August

  1. OPM and NAU sign disaster preparedness agreement for agriculture

    The Office of the Prime Minister and Namibia Agricultural Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in the agricultural sector, establishing a framework for collaboration in responding to veld fires, drought, and animal disease outbreaks.

    20 August 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Namibia's largest goat exporter exits after 54 years

    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.

    19 August 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 10 August

  1. Goat export costs squeeze communal farmers' margins in South Africa trade

    Namibian live goat exporters must meet strict animal health requirements including testing for Brucella melitensis to access the South African market, which takes roughly 98% of Namibia's exported goats; however, compliance costs estimated at N$485 per animal—roughly 30% of average auction price—erode profits for communal farmers who depend heavily on this market.

    10 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 6 August

  1. Youth clearing border bush to prevent FMD spread

    Young people at Otjombinde are clearing bush along the Namibia-Botswana border to erect a fence and prevent cattle movement that could spread foot-and-mouth disease, with about 70 community members assigned to the effort as part of government efforts to protect Namibia's FMD-free status.

    6 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Police and four farmers' unions sign 10-year rural crime agreement

    The Namibian Police Force and four farmers' unions—NAU, NECFU, NNFU, and PDNFU—have signed a 10-year memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in preventing crimes affecting farmers, particularly stock theft, building on a previous 2020 agreement between police and the NAU.

    28 July 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 27 July

  1. Farmers' unions launch N$50m FMD prevention fund

    Four Namibian farmers' organisations are raising at least N$50 million to help the government prevent foot-and-mouth disease, with N$12 million already pledged by unions, agribusinesses and financial institutions. The initiative responds to FMD threats in the SADC region and reflects the view that disease prevention is a shared national responsibility.

    27 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Namibia Agricultural Union — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute