World Organisation for Animal Health

Also known as: WOAH

International organization that certifies countries' foot-and-mouth disease-free status, a designation Namibia holds without vaccination.

2026-02-152026-08-21

What’s been said

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

July 2026
4 JulInformanté
World Organisation for Animal Health made recommendations for two-stage spray system design
Source
“The two-stage spray system uses water in the first station to remove dirt from vehicles, followed by a disinfectant spray in the second station to inactivate the FMD virus, in line with recommendations from the World Organisation for Animal Health.”
Ariamsvlei border receives new vehicle disinfection system to strengthen FMD controls
June 2026
25 JunNew Era
World Organisation for Animal Health sets standards for FMD-free status without vaccination designation
Source
“The redline designates the southern zone as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free without vaccination under the World Organisation for Animal Health standards.”
‘Redline removal impossible’ … around 300 000 uncontrolled cattle at the Nam-Angola border
April 2026
26 AprInformanté
World Organisation for Animal Health published a global map of FMD-free status by country
Source
“According to a global map published by the World Organisation for Animal Health, only a small number of countries and zones fall into the FMD-free without vaccination category, placing Namibia's livestock sector within a highly regulated and competitive segment of the global market.”
FMD-free status opens high-value markets for Namibia
March 2026
4 MarThe Namibian
World Organisation for Animal Health is required for export reinstatement after FMD outbreak in verified eradication process
Source
“It warns that "reinstatement is rarely immediate; it requires structured surveillance, verified eradication, World Organisation for Animal Health recognition, and bilateral renegotiation of export protocols," a process that can take "12 to 24 months or longer."”
FMD threat could cost Namibia N$2.5b in exports
1 MarInformanté
World Organisation for Animal Health registered Namibia's FMD-free zone as free without vaccination
Source
“Namibia's FMD-free zone is registered with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as free without vaccination, a status that allows access to high-value international meat markets.”
Namibia safeguards foot-and-mouth disease free zone to protect markets
February 2026
17 FebNew Era
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is a compliance standard for Namibia's livestock industry governance
Source
“This growth can be attributed to a well-organised sector in terms of governance and compliance efforts with international trade protocols, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).”
Farmers' Kraal with Erastus Ngaruka – FMD crisis: Potential impact of an outbreak
16 FebInformanté
World Organisation for Animal Health has recognised Namibia as an FMD-free zone south of the veterinary cordon fence since 1997
Source
“He further highlighted that Namibia has been recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health as an FMD-free zone south of the veterinary cordon fence since 1997.”
FMD threat could jeopardise access to premium beef markets, Kwenani warns

Agriculture & Land

Botswana steps up FMD controls amid outbreak threat to region

The News

Botswana is intensifying efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) following outbreaks that raise concerns for cross-border animal health and livestock trade in the region, including Namibia. Botswana's agriculture minister said the disease has placed pressure on rural livelihoods, the livestock industry and the economy, while noting Botswana has historically managed to control FMD and maintain World Organisation for Animal Health recognition for zones free from the disease without vaccination.

19 August 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 19 August

Botswana steps up FMD controls amid outbreak threat to region
Botswana is intensifying efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) following outbreaks that raise concerns for cross-border animal health and livestock trade in the region, including Namibia. Botswana's agriculture minister said the disease has placed pressure on rural livelihoods, the livestock industry and the economy, while noting Botswana has historically managed to control FMD and maintain World Organisation for Animal Health recognition for zones free from the disease without vaccination.
19 August 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 17 August

South Africa intensifies FMD containment as thousands of outbreaks persist
South Africa is stepping up efforts to combat foot-and-mouth disease through increased vaccination, improved regulations, and cooperation between government and farmers, though over 1,800 of 2,764 reported outbreaks across five open FMD events remain active.
17 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 6 August

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 →

Monday 27 July

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 →

Saturday 4 July

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 →

Thursday 25 June

Redline removal blocked by uncontrolled cattle and disease risks
An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 uncontrolled cattle roaming the Namibia-Angola border annually, slow uptake of northern abattoirs, and lack of alternative grazing areas make removal of the veterinary cordon fence (redline) practically impossible in its current form, the agriculture minister told Parliament. The redline maintains the southern zone's foot-and-mouth disease-free status; its removal would risk compromising this countrywide.
25 June 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 26 April

Namibia's FMD-free status secures access to premium livestock markets
Namibia is among a small group of countries globally recognized as free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease without vaccination, a status that provides access to high-value export markets for beef and livestock products. Maintaining this position requires strict disease control measures, regulatory compliance, and coordination between authorities and farmers.
26 April 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 17 March

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 →

Monday 9 March

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 →

Wednesday 4 March

FMD outbreak could cost Namibia N$2.5 billion in beef exports
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.
4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 1 March

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 →

Tuesday 24 February

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 →

Tuesday 17 February

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 →

Monday 16 February

FMD outbreak could threaten Namibia's premium beef market access
The Deputy Executive Director of Agriculture has warned that any foot-and-mouth disease outbreak could jeopardise Namibia's access to lucrative beef markets, emphasising the importance of maintaining the country's FMD-free status recognised since 1997. Regional FMD outbreaks in South Africa and Botswana have elevated the risk profile and drawn international scrutiny to Namibia's disease status.
16 February 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 15 February

FMD outbreaks in region threaten Namibia's livestock sector
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.
15 February 2026 · The Namibian →