Windhoek suspends meat permits over FMD outbreak

The City of Windhoek has suspended the issuing of meat permits and the slaughtering of cloven-hoofed animals.

This follows acting minister of agriculture Charles Mubita’s announcement of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the country. The disease was detected at a commercial farm at Karaburg.

The municipality food safety section says the suspension takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

The municipality will no longer issue meat permits and has suspended the slaughtering of cloven-hoofed animals at abattoirs, informal markets and social events.

Cloven-hoofed animals include cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

The municipality says the measures form part of restrictions introduced by the agriculture ministry to control the spread of FMD.

These include restrictions on the movement, marketing and trade of cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products. The measures also include increased surveillance and roadblocks at selected areas.

The municipality has urged Windhoek residents and the public to comply with the restrictions until further notice.

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