Drastic fall in beef exports

According to Bank of Botswana (BoB) statistics, beef exports recorded P107.9 million in 2011 and P37.5 million this year. The massive decline was caused by the loss of the European Union (EU) market. In January, the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) warned that it might lose P90 million in revenue if Botswana were not readmitted to the EU market. "If beef exports to the EU market do not resume in the first quarter of this year we are likely to lose millions of Pula,"

BMC chief executive officer (CEO) David Falepau said in a press statement. The EU recommended that BMC should put in place clear documented procedures and relevant official controls in order to ensure only eligible animals are slaughtered for export to the EU. This came after the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Ngamiland District last year.