08 Apr 2026

At least 34 bulls have tested positive for the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination Training Centre in Zone 11. The affected animals are part of the 65 bulls, which have been trained for semen tapping.

According to Foot and Mouth Disease coordinator at the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination Training Centre, Dr Odireleng Thololwane bulls were currently quarantined in their own paddock, so as to ensure that they did not come into contact with other animals, which had not been infected.  

Also, he said all the affected bulls had been vaccinated, adding that the Department of Veterinary Services would continue with surveillance in and out of the ranch.

He pointed out that the results of the surveillance would guide the way forward on what needed to be done.

In addition, he said there were no signs of new infections so far.

Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination and Training Centre is home to over 200 animals, which includes goats and cattle.

Recently, the Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti told the Ramatlabama residents in an emergency kgotla meeting that despite efforts to curb spread of the disease from South Africa, some animals at the centre were infected.

While investigations are underway to determine where the disease came from, the ministry have since issued prevention control measures effective immediately that no cloven-hoofed animals shall be slaughtered or transported across zone 11 for any use or social events.

Movement of cloven-hoofed animals were prohibited in zones 3c, 4a, 4b, 5, 6b, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 while in within disease control zone 2 (Ngamiland and Okavango) and zone 1 (Chobe) is allowed.

Still at the meeting, Dr Dikoloti also said importation and in-transit of all cloven-hoofed animals was suspended and permits were revoked with immediate effect.

Furthermore, the acting minister pleaded for cooperation between the community and other stakeholders in order for the disease to be controlled.

“This is a sad day for the beef industry and the economy of our country because even Botswana Meat Commission has now stopped operating," he said. ENDS