Botswana on FMD red alert
Laone Choeunyane | Wednesday January 21, 2026 06:00
In its latest alert, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture confirmed that Zimbabwe has reported an FMD outbreak in the Mangwe District of Matabeleland South Province, an area that shares a border with Botswana’s Tutume, North-East, and Bobirwa districts. Authorities say the regional situation, coupled with confirmed cases in South Africa, some detected as close as 40 kilometres from Botswana’s borders, has significantly heightened the risk of cross-border transmission.
Against this backdrop, the Botswana National Beef Producers Union (BNBPU) has warned that what began as an inland outbreak in South Africa is “rapidly progressing towards Botswana,” prompting renewed calls for vigilance across the livestock sector.
The union has appealed to all stakeholders within the beef industry to “stay alert to all FMD notifications through mass media platforms and attend kgotla meetings convened by government authorities,” emphasising that vigilance and access to timely information remain critical in preventing an outbreak.
Stakeholders have further been urged to comply fully with official protocols and directives issued by the Department of Veterinary Services “without exception”. On cross-border movement, the union implored livestock owners and transporters to “avoid the use of unauthorised points of entry or exit when travelling in and out of Botswana,” and to use only designated border crossings.
Proper animal management has also been cited as a key preventative measure. Farmers have been encouraged to “apply all authorised methods of animal identification” and to herd and kraal livestock as instructed, with particular attention required for those farming along border areas.
Authorities have stressed that the suspicious movement of cloven-hoofed animals and animal products must be reported immediately, including cases involving sick animals, suspected illegal livestock movements, or activities that contravene established livestock movement protocols. Veterinary officials have also warned against the illegal importation of livestock and high-risk materials such as raw meat and milk from neighbouring countries.
Meanwhile, movement restrictions outlined by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture remain in force for cloven-hoofed animals within a 10-kilometre radius of the Botswana–South Africa border in districts including Tlokweng, Kgatleng, Mahalapye, and Palapye. The ministry has stated that “movement of cloven-hoofed animals out of the 10km radius is not allowed except for direct slaughter at a licensed slaughter facility for local consumption,” adding that “cloven-hoofed animals and their derivative products from the restricted 10km area are prohibited for export.”
In addition, the Department of Veterinary Services has reinforced restrictions in northern border zones, warning that movement of cloven-hoofed animals into, out of, or within zones 3b, 3c, 6b (Maitengwe), and Zone 7 is not permitted except for direct slaughter, with livestock from these zones ineligible for export.
The BNBPU has cautioned that the local beef industry would suffer “catastrophic consequences” should FMD spread into Botswana. “Local cattle prices would plummet, devastating our economy and the livelihoods of countless Batswana who depend on the livestock sector,” the union said, adding that Botswana beef would immediately lose its international market access and premium value.
The union further stated that a delegation will visit and engage farmers and communities in key areas as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen disease prevention and awareness.