15 Jan 2026

A Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak currently spreading in South Africa poses an imminent risk of crossing into Botswana and threatening the local livestock industry.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA on Wednesday, Botswana National Beef Producers Union (BNBPU) spokesperson, Mr Andrew Seeletso said what began as an inland outbreak in South Africa had moved alarmingly close to Botswana’s borders, with confirmed cases reported just 40 kilometres away.

He said the progression clearly demonstrated the rapid movement of the disease towards Botswana.

Mr Seeletso further revealed that the BNBPU, a farmer-owned advocacy umbrella body representing beef producers across the country, had been officially notified by the Department of Veterinary Services of a grave and escalating FMD threat to Botswana’s livestock sector.

He noted that Botswana’s national cattle herd had been steadily declining over the years and currently stood at approximately 1.7 million. He warned that the numbers could drop even further should FMD cross into the country.

President Advocate Duma Boko previously acknowledged the decline during the launch of the 61,000 Constituency Housing Units project in Palapye in 2025, stating that “Botswana’s cattle industry is experiencing a decline, prompting calls for immediate and targeted interventions to boost production and stabilise the herd,” he said.

Mr Seeletso said historically, Batswana had relied on importing live cattle from South Africa due to that country’s early investment in breed improvement.

He said South African farmers developed superior genetics long before Botswana farmers, which led many local farmers to buy cattle from South Africa to improve and expand their herds.

However, he explained that FMD outbreaks in South Africa had prevented such imports for several years, contributing to the continued decline in Botswana’s cattle numbers.

In light of the escalating threat, Mr Seeletso urged all stakeholders in the livestock value chain, including producers, processors and traders of cloven-hoofed animals and their products to remain vigilant and informed.

“Farmers should stay alert to all FMD notifications through the mass media and attend kgotla meetings convened by government authorities and other stakeholders in their areas,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of full compliance with livestock movement protocols and directives issued by the Department of Veterinary Services.

Mr Seeletso also urged farmers, particularly those in border areas, to practise proper animal management by applying authorised animal identification methods and kraaling their livestock as instructed. He appealed to the public to immediately report any suspicious movement of cloven-hoofed animals or products.

“Notify the nearest authority of any sick animals, suspected illegal livestock movements or activities that contravene established livestock movement protocols,” he said.

He further encouraged the use of authorised border crossings only, warning that avoiding unauthorised points of entry or exit when travelling would help prevent the disease from entering Botswana. Mr Seeletso warned that an FMD outbreak within Botswana would have catastrophic consequences.

He said Botswana beef would immediately lose international market access and its premium value, adding that cattle prices would plummet, devastating the economy and the livelihoods of countless Batswana who depended on the livestock sector.

To counter the threat, Mr Seeletso said BNBPU, in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, had launched a nationwide public awareness campaign. He said the union would convene a virtual meeting with farmers’ associations to broaden awareness and coordinate response efforts across all regions.

BNBPU delegates would also visit key areas to engage directly with farmers and communities. In addition, a disease control fund would be established, with contributions from stakeholders and well-wishers to support disease management efforts.

Mr Seeletso said FMD experts would be engaged to formulate prevention strategies and best practices, which would be shared with the Department of Veterinary Services for integration into the national response strategy.

He described the situation as a clarion call for all stakeholders to unite against the possible incursion of FMD into Botswana. BOPA