NNFU seeks gradual removal of red line

The Namibia National Farmers' Union (NNFU) is not in support of the “abrupt physical” removal of the red line but rather supports the gradual removal of it as proposed by the agriculture ministry.

This is according to NNFU CEO Kuniberth Shamathe, who said in the union’s newsletter that it also supports focusing on the equalisation of the northern farmers so that they achieve parity with their counterpart farmers south of veterinary cordon fence (VCF).

“The main problem is lack of delivery for the low-hanging fruit that could improve the situation.”

Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein has announced plans to move the VCF, known as the red line, further north.

Shamathe said that the NNFU seeks seriousness in the implementation of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) free zones in the northern communal areas (NCAs) as per the second land conference.

“This will allow the gradual removal of the VCF, reducing the risk of the current free zone status south of the VCF.”

Implementation crucial

Shamathe said the NNFU is aware of the feasibility study on FMD-free zones in the NCAs, which was conducted and accepted by farmers and stakeholders in the proposed areas.

He said the environmental impact assessment (EIA) was completed, to which the environmental clearance certificate was issued in 2022.

“The NNFU believes this is one of the best possible improvements in the NCA. It does not tamper or change the current VCF.”

Shamathe said many studies have been carried out and four Cabinet decisions were made, but no implementation has taken place to date.

He said the NNFU wants to see implementation this time, including the development and implementation of the NCA meat market share promotion scheme – a quota system that allows a certain amount of meat and livestock products from south to north of the VCF based on needs.

Furthermore, he said commodity-based trade (CBT) should be enhanced.

“Annual vaccination in the protection zone, just as done in the Zambezi Region, so quarantine only takes 30 days instead of the current 60 days.”

Plans in place

Shamathe said the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) does not recognise protection zones. He said it is given the same status as infected zones, hence the lack of vaccination disadvantage, and therefore protection zones are worse off than infected zones.

“The NNFU also requests the removal of unnecessary restriction conditions and allowing/recognising organised farms to be treated as quarantined.”

He said medium-scale fodder production/feedlots should be implemented that will improve the quality of livestock to meet the slaughter weight in both the NCAs and communal areas south of the VCF (SVCF).

According to Shamathe, NCA abattoirs could also buy weaners south of the red line for roundoff in the feedlots to meet shortfalls of throughputs.

“NCAs are requesting marketing subsidy through the Meatco NCA subsidiary, on condition that it increases prices on par with SVCF."

Lastly, Shamathe said they want improved road infrastructure and abattoirs in the NCA to be operational.

He said this position has been presented throughout the year to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Schlettwein and their teams and during joint meetings with other unions to the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture, environment and natural resources.