Botswana steps up FMD controls as livestock trade faces disruption

BOTSWANA – Botswana is intensifying efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks that are disrupting livestock markets and threatening the country’s access to premium export destinations, while raising wider biosecurity concerns across Southern Africa.

The government has recorded four FMD SAT1 outbreaks in 2026, affecting Zone 6b and Zone 3c-Maitengwe in the North East; Zone 11, covering Goodhope, Borolong, Southern and Gamalete; and Zone 13 in Kgalagadi.

Speaking in Parliament, Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti said emergency mass vaccination had suppressed outbreaks in Zones 3c-Maitengwe and 6b. 

Both have since been formally closed with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), although vaccination will continue to maintain herd immunity.

Active transmission remains in parts of Zones 11 and 13, including around Phitshane-Molopo and Tshidilamolomo and some ranches in the Banyana farms area.

“Government remains seized with the situation and continues to intensify surveillance, vaccination and other disease-control interventions in the affected areas,” Dikoloti said.

FMD is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals and remains endemic across much of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Botswana has historically maintained zones recognised by WOAH as free from FMD without vaccination, supporting access to high-value international markets.

However, outbreaks in neighbouring countries, particularly South Africa since 2023, have increased the risk of new introductions.

Botswana shares around 2,000 kilometres of border with South Africa.

FMD threatens livestock supply chains and feed demand

The outbreak is also creating wider consequences for Botswana’s livestock production system. 

Movement restrictions have disrupted cattle sales and exports to premium markets, including the European Union and China, affecting revenues at the Botswana Meat Commission.

Dikoloti said restrictions were also placing pressure on rural households that depend on cattle for income, school fees and other daily needs.

At the same time, reduced livestock off-take could increase pressure on grazing resources as farmers retain animals for longer. 

This is particularly concerning as increasingly dry conditions put additional pressure on rangelands and water supplies.

To contain the disease, Botswana is establishing a Containment Zone and constructing an approximately 400-kilometre northern boundary using existing barriers and new fencing. 

The government expects the work to be completed by the end of August.

Once livestock populations are separated, Botswana plans to approach WOAH for recognition of the Containment Zone. 

If approved, disease-free areas outside the zone could regain access to international markets.

The government is also repairing more than 1,152 kilometres of veterinary cordon and international border fencing, strengthening animal traceability through the Botswana Animal Identification and Traceability System (BAITS), and working with South Africa on a joint biosecurity plan.

Botswana is additionally advocating for a SADC FMD Vaccine Antigen Bank and has provided vaccine assistance to Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

Dikoloti urged stakeholders not to relax movement controls prematurely, warning that renewed outbreaks could prolong trade restrictions and deepen losses across the livestock value chain.

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