Botswana’s Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has reinforced preventative measures to protect its livestock sector from foot and mouth disease (FMD) spilling over from neighbouring South Africa.
Acting director of veterinary services, Kobedi Segale, announced new restrictions on the movement of cloven‑hoofed animals in districts bordering South Africa, describing the measures as a decisive step to safeguard national agricultural integrity.
Under the tightened rules, movement of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and wildlife within a 10‑kilometre radius of the border in Tlokweng, Kgatleng, Mahalapye and Palapye districts is strictly controlled.
“A movement restriction for all cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and wildlife animals) has been imposed in livestock crushes that are within a 10km distance from the Botswana and Republic of South Africa boundaries in Tlokweng, Kgatleng, Mahalapye and Palapye districts,” Segale said in a statement.
Animals cannot be moved out of the restricted zone except for direct slaughter at licensed facilities for local consumption.
Export of animals and their products from the zone is prohibited while movement within the area requires permits.
Importation of cloven‑hoofed animals and fresh products from South Africa remains banned, the official said, urging farmers and the public to report any illegal imports.
The measures come as South Africa grapples with widespread FMD outbreaks.
By late 2025, veterinary authorities confirmed active cases across seven provinces, including KwaZulu‑Natal, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and the Western Cape.
KwaZulu‑Natal has been the hardest hit, with more than 200 outbreaks reported, many still unresolved.
Limpopo’s Vhembe district has also seen severe infections, with farmers reporting entire herds affected.
South African officials have quarantined affected farms, banned animal movements and rolled out vaccination campaigns, but the disease continues to disrupt livestock sales and exports.
FMD does not affect human health but has serious economic consequences, undermining trade and food security.
Botswana, which has long maintained strict veterinary controls to protect its beef export industry, is acting pre‑emptively to avoid contamination.
The country’s beef sector is a major foreign currency earner, with exports to the European Union and other markets dependent on its internationally recognised FMD‑free status.
JN/APA