Six Weeks, Nearly N$1 Billion
Namibia is facing losses of nearly N$1 billion in livestock sales. This financial hit follows the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease on September 23. The Livestock and Livestock Products Board estimates weekly losses of about N$150 million. Auctions have stopped and exports to other markets are suspended. Livestock continue to eat while owners struggle with unserviceable overdrafts. Workers are uncertain if they will receive their wages next month.
BY THE TIME this newspaper reaches you, Namibia will have lost close to N$1 billion in livestock sales since foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed on 23 September. That is the Livestock and Livestock Products Board’s estimate of about N$150 million a week, and the meter is still running. Cloven-hoofed animals across the country are standing still. Auctions have stopped and exports to markets are suspended. These livestock industries may have stopped, but the livestock has not stopped eating. On farms everywhere, commercial and communal, there are overdrafts that can’t be serviced and workers who don’t know whether next month’s wages will