(WASHINGTON) – The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) calls for the immediate halt of beef imports from Namibia following reports of recent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the country.
Namibia’s livestock industry is divided into two zones by the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF). The VCF, built in the mid-1960s, stands more than 550 miles long, and is passable at 9 permanent check points. North of the VCF is the FMD-infected zone, where the most recent outbreaks occurred, whereas south of the VCF is considered by the OIE as a “FMD free zone where vaccination is not practiced.”
However, the region’s African buffalo populations are considered to be persistent carriers of FMD. Documented cases of wildlife crossing into Namibia through the Zambezi river at shallow points elicits concern that diseased populations can move freely into and out of the country, and may contact domestic cattle herds. The country’s elephant population also has been known to traverse the Veterinary Cordon Fence, causing damage to the fence line which allows other wildlife to travel freely between the country’s Northern and Southern regions.