The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) plans to submit a proposal to veterinary authorities to allow farmers to move livestock to abattoirs under veterinary supervision.
This is amid the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the country.
The proposal will outline measures to prevent the spread of the disease while allowing farmers to continue selling their animals.
This follows informal talks between the NAU and representatives of South Africa’s red meat industry in Windhoek on Friday.
Since the introduction of movement restrictions last month, farmers have been unable to sell livestock.
NAU president Thinus Pretorius says the restrictions are affecting farmers’ income and putting their businesses at risk.
The NAU warns that formal approval processes could take six to seven months, which many farmers cannot afford.
NAU chief executive Roelie Venter says every week without livestock sales puts more financial pressure on farmers.
The union says it will also ask veterinary authorities to consider temporary arrangements that would allow some livestock trade to continue.
However, no agreements were reached during the meeting and any changes to livestock movement rules would require approval from veterinary authorities.
The FMD outbreaks have been recorded in the ||Kharas and Zambezi regions.
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and some wild animals.
By 6 October, 17 farms in the ||Kharas region had confirmed infections, while a separate outbreak was announced in Zambezi on Sunday.
Last week, agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani told the National Assembly that Namibia is in talks with South African authorities about the rules needed to resume livestock auctions and allow farmers to sell animals to South Africa.
“I spoke to my counterpart in South Africa about the possibility of us resuming auction trading for the market of South Africa. There are certain protocols that we have to put in place,” she said.
Meanwhile, technical officials from Namibia and South Africa held an online meeting last week to discuss ways to speed up the reopening of livestock auctions.
Under this proposal, Namibia could apply to the World Organisation for Animal Health to have the central part of the country recognised as free of FMD without vaccination.
Another option involves vaccinating livestock across the country and seeking recognition of Namibia as FMD-free with vaccination.
SA DEPENDS ON NAMIBIAN SHEEP
South African abattoirs depend on Namibia for more than 70% of the sheep they slaughter and could be forced to close if livestock trade restrictions remain in place.
South Africa’s Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) has warned that the continued suspension of livestock imports from Namibia due to the FMD outbreak could leave abattoirs without enough animals to operate.
RPO chief executive Frikkie Maré said on Monday the suspension of imports has left these abattoirs struggling to source enough sheep locally to keep their businesses running.
Maré warned that some abattoirs could eventually close, leaving South African sheep farmers with fewer places to slaughter their animals.
He said the restrictions are also affecting livestock prices in South Africa.
According to Maré, weaner calf prices have increased to between R57 and R60 per kilogram at auctions, while A2-grade lamb carcass prices have risen by nearly R9 per kilogram in some areas within a week.
He questions whether the price increases reflect an actual shortage of livestock or a temporary reaction to the closure of the Namibian market.
According to the RPO, South Africa imported 613 725 lambs from Namibia in 2024, accounting for 12% of the country’s sheep slaughter numbers.
Imports dropped to 379 959 lambs in 2025, representing 8% of slaughter numbers.
However, South Africa has imported 417 808 lambs from Namibia so far this year, accounting for about 15% of its sheep slaughter numbers.
According to the RPO, South Africa imported 259 566 weaner calves from Namibia in 2024, representing about 9% of its cattle slaughter numbers.
Imports declined to 55 575 calves in 2025 and stood at 36 821 so far this year.
The organisation says Namibian weaner calves account for only about 2% of South Africa’s cattle slaughter numbers this year.
Maré said the increase in weaner calf prices is, therefore, more likely a reaction to the sudden suspension of imports than an actual shortage of cattle.
Maré said Namibia currently has no alternative market for its beef, which could put pressure on South African cattle prices if imports resume without proper planning.
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