The Namibian high court recently ruled against Job Amupanda's petition to remove the veterinary cordon fence, known as the Red Line, which dates back to colonial times. Originally intended to control livestock diseases such as rinderpest, the Red Line has become a political division impacting economic access for Namibians. Despite losing in court, parliament is considering amending regulations. Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete emphasized the need for change, questioning why Namibia has not moved beyond colonial legacies in 30 years of independence and pointing out the equal quality of meat from north and south.
'Thirty years of independence is too much. How many years do we want to wait?' Natangwe Ithete expressed frustration during discussions about the need to remove the Red Line.
'We just speak of foot and mouth disease, which does not kill us,' Ithete added, emphasizing that the meat from the north is the same quality as that from the south.
Amupanda argued that maintaining the Red Line in the interest of access to EU markets compromises equitable economic participation for Namibians.
Initially set up by colonial authorities to control rinderpest, the VCF has evolved into a controversial political barrier affecting Namibia's economic landscape.
Collection
[
|
...
]