A forum has been established in response to the government’s call for the meat industry to contribute towards the fight against the Food-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
Known as the National Emergency Coordinating Unit and spearheaded by role players like Meatco, the Meat Board and guidance from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), the aim is to coordinate industry support about this pressing national issue. The unit also serves as a point of contact with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) regarding FMD response activities. Additionally, this Unit will canvass and pool industry resources in response efforts. It is against this background that Meatco appeals to all its producers and key stakeholders to make resources (cash or in kind) available to the unit. Cash deposits can be made into a dedicated account, which is administered by the Meat Board of Namibia.
FMD was first detected by the DVS on May 11 at the Ondama Yomunghete crushpen in the Ohangwena region. A second case was identified on May 12 at the Okalupalona and Ohehanga crushpens in the Okongo constituency of the Ohangwena region. Thereafter further cases were reported in the Oshana, Kunene and Omusati regions.
The rate at which the disease is moving is extremely worrying as the risk of it reaching areas South of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) is a grim reality. If this should happen, it would be catastrophic for the sector, as Namibia will be prohibited from exporting cattle and the meat products of cloven-hoofed animals, meaning the Corporation’s business will grind to a halt. The government has responded by making N$208 million available to tackle the outbreak head-on. In addition, Meatco has made the following resource available to the DVS: 30 staff members from the Meatco Oshakati office will be made available to DVS to fulfil any tasks required of them by DVS. Meatco will carry all staff related costs in this respect, six vehicles with drivers – all costs for the vehicles will be carried by Meatco, twelve weighing scales, four loading ramps with trailers, 20 pairs of gumboots, 420 overalls as protective clothing for the casual labourers, 250 x 20 l water cans and 932 six packs (5,592 cans) or corned meat.
For queries and or clarification regarding the unit and its work, contact the
fundraising coordinator, Vehaka Tjimune at 0812683503 or vtjimune@meatco.com.na. The account details are as follows:
Account name: Meat Board of Namibia – FMD Account
Branch: FNB Business Banking
Account number: 62254618922
Branch code: 281872
Swift Code: FIRNNANX