Beef industry under heightened measles threat

Looming crisis: BMC is losing about 6% of its throughput to measles
Looming crisis: BMC is losing about 6% of its throughput to measles

SELEBI-PHIKWE: The Minister of Agriculture, Patrick Ralotsia has said cases of measles are escalating and may seriously impact on the country’s beef industry.

Speaking in an interview, Ralotsia said Botswana Meat Commission records a six percent loss in all the cattle it receives for slaughter due to the disease.

He added that the most affected are cattle from communal areas especially those around the Ngami area. He further noted that the rate of affection in areas around Lake Ngami area reaches as much as 13% of the cattle.

Editor's Comment
FMD crisis: We must fight as one

That should concern every Motswana. The implications extend far beyond cattle and farmers. Botswana’s beef industry is a critical pillar of the economy, supporting thousands of households and sustaining businesses along the value chain.The loss of access to lucrative export markets has already demonstrated how quickly an animal-health crisis can become an economic crisis.This is, therefore, not the time for complacency, blame, or political...

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