Nam bans cattle movement from Angola

NAMIBIAN farmers who drive their cattle to graze in the foot−and−mouth disease zone of the Bondo Kaila constituency of Angola must keep their cattle there for the time being because of an outbreak of the disease.

Chief veterinarian of the Ohangwena region Dr Magano Kefas made the announcement during a meeting between farmers, Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa and the Angolan authorities from Bondo Kaila constituency represented by senior headman Ernesto Abraao Kambinda on Wednesday. Kefas said they had been informed by the Angolan authorities of a foot−and−mouth disease outbreak in that constituency early this year. The Angolan department of veterinary services is vaccinating all cattle in that area. She thus appealed to Namibian communal farmers driving cattle to that part of Angola not to bring them back until the Angolan government had completed the vaccination process and declared the area free of the foot−and mouth disease.