11 Jun 2023

There can be no food security without food safety, says Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao. 

Officiating at the commemoration of World Food Safety Day in Gaborone on Wednesday, Mr Molao explained that in light of this recognition, government had initiated a number of measures to ensure food safety. 

To that end, he said government had embarked on an ambitious and noble initiative target to make Botswana a centre of excellence for plant, animal and human diseases. 

He said statutes such as Agro-chemical and Plant Protection Acts – which prescribe judicious use of chemicals in dealing with plant diseases and pests – are legal instruments meant to ensure food safety. He said the aim was to provide a legal framework for addressing emerging health issues such as antimicrobial resistance, which has become a global health challenge and food security threat. 

He said government intended to invest more in localising testing for medicinal and chemical residues in food in order to use food safety as a means to promote good health. 

It was for that reason, he said, that the Ministry of Agriculture introduced food safety programmes that included microbiology and residue testing to ensure that livestock products are safe for human consumption. 

“If we are careful about what we eat and ensure that it’s safe all the time, most of us will stay all year round without having to visit a pharmacy or a health facility,” he said. 

He siad government had embarked on a comprehensive review of the veterinary legislations to safeguard animal health, and protect the environment. 

Minister Molao said food safety was an essential health issue that required government, consumers and producers to all play their part. 

He appealed to all role players in the value chain of food production to create an ecosystem that guarantees food safety. 

He reiterated government’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger and responsible consumption and production. Ends