19 Jun 2022

Botswana has received a certificate from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) for managing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao said during the recent business community interaction with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Cabinet in Maun.

The certificate, he said, meant that the country had gained international recognition in controlling FMD. He urged the farming community to join forces with government to contain the disease to protect the cattle industry.

“This certificate will also help us in our efforts to secure lucrative market internationally for our beef from this area.

I urge all key stakeholders to work together to protect the cattle industry and ensure compliance in accordance with WOAH,” he said.Minister Molao also urged Ngamiland farmers to be committed to ending the disease by bringing all animals for  vaccination during campaigns. By so doing, Mr Molao said they would be in the right step to attain sustainable livestock industry and achieve food security.

The ministry’s overall vaccination target, he said was 80 per cent but implored farmers to do more and ensure 100 per cent vaccination across the district. Failure to comply, Mr Molao said would reverse the gains made so far in containing the disease.

The minister was also impressed to learn that farmers appreciated the increase of beef buying prices by Botswana Meat Commission.In addition, he assured them that the Maun abattoir would ensure compliance to a 14 days payment turnaround to farmers after slaughter.

Earlier on, Mr Tebo Modisaemang from Hainaveld ranches appreciated the increase on beef prices. 

He appreciated the Department of Veterinary Services’ efforts to install cordon fences as a strategy in the fight against FMD, but complained that the fences were not serving their purpose as they were currently down.

The fences, he said, were often damaged by elephants leading to incursion of both wild animals and cattle into prohibited areas, which frustrated their efforts to become commercial farmers.

Mr Modisaemang called for the electrification of the fences for sustained protection of livestock from possible FMD outbreak.

The strategy, he said was working wonders in Pandamatenga, adding “I believe electrification of the fences can be a solution and eventually some areas from our areas could be considered and declared green zones.”He said the move could also promote conservation of wildlife as well as co-existence of wildlife and the community.

The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms Phildah Kereng said together with the minister of Agriculture, they would discuss the issue of electrification of the fences as they both wanted a long term intervention to ensure that agriculture and tourism industries thrive.

WOAH is an inter-governmental organisation with the mandate of setting international standards on animal health, welfare and veterinary public health and their certification is an acknowledgement of the country’s strategic approach to tackle FMD. ENDS