the monitor

Gov't lifts maize, wheat import ban

Wheat farm
Wheat farm

Government on Friday lifted an eight-day import ban on key grains such as maize and wheat, after investigations noted that the plant disease that provoked the decision is largely transmitted through seeds.

The lifting of the import ban also followed an outcry from local millers who noted a “supply shock” as well as shortages, particularly in stock feed.

The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture suspended maize, wheat, sorghum, sugar cane and other grass imports on January 16, citing the outbreak of Goss's Bacterial Wilt Disease in several South African provinces. Bud Rot of Palm Disease was also noted in two South African provinces, prompting an import ban on palms, pawpaw, kiwi, coconut and related plants.

On Friday, the ministry said the import ban on the grains had been lifted with immediate effect, whilst the import of maize seed remained suspended.

“It has been established that Goss's wilt of maize is mainly spread through maize seed and not grains,” the acting director of Plant Health, Loitseng Sebetwane said. “The public is informed that investigations on bud rot of palms are yet to be concluded. “Accordingly, import permits for palms, pawpaw, kiwi, coconut, durian, and cocoa remain cancelled.”

Ahead of the lifting of the ban, Business Botswana, writing on behalf of its members including millers, noted that even if the ban was lifted, there would still be an enduring effect on local consumers.

“We wish to alert farmers, particularly those in outlying areas, that stockfeed supplies are likely to run out shortly, even if maize imports are restored soon. “Farmers should be prepared for possible shortages and are strongly encouraged to seek alternative feed sources in advance. “The situation will be alleviated if maize supplies are fully restored before the weekend, but in the meantime, proactive measures are necessary to minimise the impact,” the business lobby group said a day before the lifting of the ban.

In imposing the ban, government acknowledged that the move was likely to cause shortages, but said it was critical that the country investigates the plant diseases and their potential transmission into Botswana.

“It could be that this week or next week, we will start seeing supplies reducing in our shops,” Veleminah Pelokgale, the head of the national plant protection organisation, told state television last Monday.

South African authorities reacted negatively to the import ban, with Farmers Weekly quoting that country’s Agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, as saying Botswana’s move was “overly cautious”.

“We regard Botswana’s decision as overly cautious, as Goss’s disease isn't spread through the trade of grain for human and animal consumption,” Steenhuisen was quoted as saying.

Steenhuisen was also quoted as noting that wheat isn't known to be a host of the disease, although both wheat and maize grain for consumption had been banned.

Farmers Weekly also quoted Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA, as saying that Botswana’s import suspension wouldn't have a major impact on South Africa.

Botswana doesn't produce enough maize and wheat for its national demand and imports the majority of this shortfall from South Africa. Local sorghum production has reportedly reached self-sufficiency levels, but the yields are often under pressure from perennial droughts.

Meanwhile, Namibia, which equally relies on South Africa to top up its grain requirements, has also slapped an import ban on the regional powerhouse due to the outbreak of said plant diseases.

Namibia imposed the ban on Thursday, a day before Botswana lifted its own.

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