Government has lifted the month-long ban on the movement of livestock in the previously restricted parts of Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo, Okahandja, Gobabis and the Otjinene state veterinary districts. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry said in a statement on Friday the restrictions on commercial farms in these districts were lifted with immediate effect.

In this respect, the statement made specific reference to the two bands of farms bordering the Otjinene, Epukiro, Otjombinde and Eiseb communal areas of the Omaheke state veterinary district; the Okakarara, Okondjatu, Otjituuo and Okamatapati communal areas of the Otjiwarongo state veterinary district; the Okakarara communal area of the Okahandja state veterinary district and Otjituuo area under the Grootfontein state veterinary district.

The ministry's deputy permanent secretary, Anna Shiweda, said restrictions have also been lifted on all commercial farms that were inspected after they received livestock from previously restricted areas.

She nonetheless cautioned that the surveillance of livestock in the commercial farms will continue.

Shiweda also said the movement of cloven-hoofed livestock out of some communal areas will only be allowed through auctions or permit sales where they will undergo intensive examinations.

This condition will apply to livestock from the Otjinene, Epukiro, Otjombinde and Eiseb communal areas of the Omaheke state veterinary district, as well as animals from the Okakarara, Okondjatu, Otjituuo and Okamatapati communal areas in the Otjiwarongo state veterinary district.

"The inspections of livestock in these communal areas will still continue. Roadblocks that were set up will also continue to enforce movement controls," she said.

The ministry further announced that a group of commercial farms in the Grootfontein veterinary district will still remain under movement restrictions for a minimum of 21 days while further investigations and surveillance continue.

"All stakeholders are reminded that the animal health situation can change at any time, and that movement restrictions for animal health reasons can be imposed without prior notice," Shiweda said.

Government decided to put a ban on livestock movement in these communal areas a month ago after two stray buffaloes were detected in that area.

The Namibian/27/09/2011