The government of Botswana has suspended imports of cloven-hoofed animals and their fresh products from South Africa. This follows an outbreak of foot and mouth disease was detected in the neighbouring country.
The ministry of agriculture made the announcement and said the move aims to protect the country’s cattle industry. Live animals, their fresh products as well as veldt grass, bedding and manure contaminated products and vehicles from South Africa are in the ban list.
Foot and mouth disease
Foot and mouth disease does not affect humans but poses a threat to cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, goats and sheep. The disease (FMD) is endemic mostly in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and surrounding game parks in South Africa.
The disease, which causes lesions and lameness in infected animals, was detected in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province last week after local veterinary officials noticed cattle showing suspicious lesions. The country said it was investigating the extent of the outbreak.
Botswana is one of the largest beef exporters to the European Union but has often suspended sales in the past due to the disease outbreaks from its neighbouring countries. Beef exports amounted to US $61 million in 2019, according to Botswana’s central bank data.
The disease, which causes lesions and lameness in infected animals, was detected in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province last week after local veterinary officials noticed cattle showing suspicious lesions.
