Botswana has suspended exports of cattle and related meat products following a suspected foot and mouth disease outbreak in the country, a senior official announced on Wednesday.
Acting Department of Veterinary Services director Kefentse Motshegwa said the suspension follows an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in North East District close to the border with Zimbabwe.
“Export of cloven hoof animals, beef, fresh meat, raw animal products has been suspended,” Motshegwa said in a statement.
He said all movement and slaughter of cattle within the country have also been suspended until further notice.
“The movement restriction facilitates disease investigation and will be lifted once investigations are concluded,” the official said.
Foot and mouth is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed animals.
The suspension is expected to hurt Botswana’s earnings as the country is one of the biggest beef exporters to the European Union where it enjoys duty- and quota-free access. The country earned about US$20 million last year from beef exports to the EU.
The ban on the movement of cattle follows similar action by neighbouring South Africa last week.
JN/APA