Ban southern meat across the red line, says Aupindi
Swapo MP says veterinary fence hinders equality
The Swapo lawmaker has lashed out at the hypocrisy and double standards around the controversial veterinary cordon fence.
In a bold move, Swapo member of parliament Tobie Aupindi has called for a ban on meat from the country’s commercial farming areas being sold north of the red line until what he describes as discriminatory regulations are fully abolished.
The red line is a physical and regulatory barrier that separates the northern communal areas from southern commercial farming zones. It was originally established during colonial times, primarily to prevent the spread of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease from the north to the south.
However, the fence has become a contentious issue, with several key arguments raised against it. One major concern is that farmers north of the red line face significant barriers in selling their livestock to the more lucrative southern or export markets due to veterinary restrictions, resulting in lower prices for their cattle.
Meat intended for domestic consumption is also not allowed to cross the red line from the north and is thrown away without any tests conducted to determine whether it carries any disease.
Speaking during his budget contribution on Monday, Aupindi said Namibia cannot continue to operate under two separate economic systems – one disadvantaging the rural poor and the other favouring the commercial elite.
He criticised the persistent perception that meat from the north is unfit for consumption, pointing out that both residents and tourists consume it without any problems.
“As an interim measure, I feel we must be radical and investigate whether the northern farming community can meet its own market demand,” he said.
“If this proves to be the case, then we should prevent meat from commercial areas from being sold in the communal north until the current discriminatory system is entirely dismantled," he added.
Aupindi also suggested that if protecting the European meat export market is the primary concern, then Namibia must strengthen its quarantine processes and certification systems. Once those are firmly in place, he said, livestock should be allowed to move freely from communal to commercial areas for both personal and commercial purposes.
Club for many
Aupindi further emphasised the need to reshape Namibia’s market structures to give ordinary citizens in informal settlements and rural communities greater access to economic opportunities.
“What we need is to reshape the market within its institutional context so that more people have access to more markets in more ways – not just an exclusive club of a few. The red line is a case in point. We discussed it in one of the standing committees during the seventh session,” Aupindi noted.
His remarks reinforce comments he made in February on The Evening Review programme, where – while paying tribute to late founding president Sam Nujoma – he said the most meaningful way to honour the liberation icon’s legacy would be to ensure all Namibians have equal access to national resources and economic opportunities.
“It is unacceptable for us to maintain an economic system where some flourish while others are left behind. Some have access to lucrative markets, while others are systematically excluded. Some live in proper housing, while others face constant threats of displacement due to floods,” Aupindi said.
His latest comments follow a recent High Court judgment, in which judge Shafimana Ueitele dismissed activist Job Amupanda’s legal bid to have the red line abolished.
The red line is a physical and regulatory barrier that separates the northern communal areas from southern commercial farming zones. It was originally established during colonial times, primarily to prevent the spread of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease from the north to the south.
However, the fence has become a contentious issue, with several key arguments raised against it. One major concern is that farmers north of the red line face significant barriers in selling their livestock to the more lucrative southern or export markets due to veterinary restrictions, resulting in lower prices for their cattle.
Meat intended for domestic consumption is also not allowed to cross the red line from the north and is thrown away without any tests conducted to determine whether it carries any disease.
Speaking during his budget contribution on Monday, Aupindi said Namibia cannot continue to operate under two separate economic systems – one disadvantaging the rural poor and the other favouring the commercial elite.
He criticised the persistent perception that meat from the north is unfit for consumption, pointing out that both residents and tourists consume it without any problems.
“As an interim measure, I feel we must be radical and investigate whether the northern farming community can meet its own market demand,” he said.
“If this proves to be the case, then we should prevent meat from commercial areas from being sold in the communal north until the current discriminatory system is entirely dismantled," he added.
Aupindi also suggested that if protecting the European meat export market is the primary concern, then Namibia must strengthen its quarantine processes and certification systems. Once those are firmly in place, he said, livestock should be allowed to move freely from communal to commercial areas for both personal and commercial purposes.
Club for many
Aupindi further emphasised the need to reshape Namibia’s market structures to give ordinary citizens in informal settlements and rural communities greater access to economic opportunities.
“What we need is to reshape the market within its institutional context so that more people have access to more markets in more ways – not just an exclusive club of a few. The red line is a case in point. We discussed it in one of the standing committees during the seventh session,” Aupindi noted.
His remarks reinforce comments he made in February on The Evening Review programme, where – while paying tribute to late founding president Sam Nujoma – he said the most meaningful way to honour the liberation icon’s legacy would be to ensure all Namibians have equal access to national resources and economic opportunities.
“It is unacceptable for us to maintain an economic system where some flourish while others are left behind. Some have access to lucrative markets, while others are systematically excluded. Some live in proper housing, while others face constant threats of displacement due to floods,” Aupindi said.
His latest comments follow a recent High Court judgment, in which judge Shafimana Ueitele dismissed activist Job Amupanda’s legal bid to have the red line abolished.
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