Parliamentary committee calls for red line policy reform

By: Hertha Ekandjo
The Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration has called for policy reforms regarding the removal of the veterinary cordon fence, commonly known as the “Red Line.”
The committee urged the agriculture ministry and other relevant offices, ministries, and agencies (OMAs) to amend existing laws and formulate new policy frameworks that would allow farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) to market their livestock south of the fence.
According to the Committee, the veterinary cordon fence should only be used to control disease outbreaks and should not serve as a barrier preventing farmers from moving their livestock or other restricted products beyond the fence.
The committee has put forward 17 recommendations addressing systemic challenges within the agricultural sector, calling on relevant authorities to take swift action.
Regarding the proposed leasing of Farm Omutambo Maowe, the agriculture ministry reaffirmed that the farm is a government asset critical for animal disease control.
The ministry expressed concerns over past private sector involvement, stating that such arrangements have proven ineffective. The committee has thus recommended further review of the matter.
Meanwhile, farmers have criticized the current policy governing the veterinary cordon fence, arguing that it was originally designed to benefit a minority group at the expense of the majority of Namibians under the pretext of foot-and-mouth disease control.
They have called for an urgent review of the legislation regulating the fence’s use.