21 Sep 2015

Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao has cautioned travellers against bringing in goods without import permits.             

Giving the keynote address at the bio-security project campaign which was held at the Ramokgwebana border post last week, Mr Molao said people should know that plant species and their by-products, just like animals and animal by-products, require import permits for entry into the country.             

He said the requirements were the key in reducing the risk in spreading pests and diseases in the country as well as helping in the achievement of food security.  

 Mr Molao called on stakeholders such as importers to bear in mind the importance of the requirements of import permits.   

The assistant minister further said the increase of trade on food and the expanding of the exchange of equipment, technology and other know-how need increased capabilities in bio-safety and bio-security in order to keep pace with the developments.   

Mr Molao also said since pest and diseases have no borders, there was need for the country to cooperate with neighbouring countries through the implementation of agreed protocols and standards.   

The campaign, which was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, was held under the theme: Taking bio-security to travellers.   

Mr Molao, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Shashe West, said the campaign was held at the right place where most goods enter and exit Botswana and Zimbabwe.   

Outlining the objectives of the project, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Oemetse Nkoane said the campaign was to educate people about pests and disease control and to sensitise them about the goods, which they were supposed to bring into the country.   

Ms Nkoane said this was a way to avoid continuous outbreaks of pests and diseases, which could have negative impact on the agricultural sector.  

For his part, Kgosi Tapson Jackalas of Jackalas No 1 expressed concern over people who have the habit of travelling from one country to another using ungazzeted points.   

He said as dikgosi they were planning to have a meeting with their counterparts in Zimbabwe in order to discuss and share ideas pertaining to the issue of illegal entrances between the two countries. Ends