22 Oct 2026

Government has introduced revised Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) regulations aimed at facilitating livestock sales and improving farmers’ access to external markets, while strengthening measures to prevent the further spread of the disease.

Assistant Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Mr Motsamai Motsamai, announced the development during a stakeholder meeting at Ukhwi Kgotla on 0ctober 21, where he outlined the revised regulations and urged farmers to comply with disease-control measures as livestock marketing opportunities resume.

He added that farmers would be allowed to sell their cattle in external markets in compliance with the revised regulations, through the ‘one farmer, one permit’ initiative.

Mr Motsamai said the initiative would create opportunities for all farmers, particularly those in rural areas, to access external markets and sell their cattle independently without being taken advantage of by intermediaries.

He added that the decision was prompted by warnings from environmental experts about the approaching hot season, which could put pressure on available grazing and water resources, saying that government was therefore seeking to reduce cattle numbers by facilitating livestock sales.

Mr Motsamai said his visit to Kgalagadi District objective was to engage with the community on the FMD situation, particularly because of the disease’s presence in neighbouring Namibia, which called for heightened vigilance given the district’s proximity to the country.

He said government had been battling the disease, adding that only a few cases remained in Kgatleng District, while authorities had managed to contain its spread in areas such as Bray, with the cooperation of local communities.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue observing disease-control protocols to prevent FMD from spreading into the district. Also, he cautioned them against purchasing livestock products from Namibia, warning that such action could pose a risk of transmitting the disease.

In addition, the minister advised residents travelling to Namibia to disinfect their shoes when returning as part of measures to prevent the possible introduction of the disease. Mr Motsamai said government support schemes should continue to assist farmers despite the FMD outbreak, stressing the need to protect livelihoods and sustain the livestock sector.

He said it would be devastating to see farmers dispose of their entire herds and abandon cattle farming because of the disease, adding that supporting farmers through such challenges was among the reasons he served in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture.

He added that a meat regulator had been appointed to oversee meat sales and ensure compliance with the required safety protocols and regulations, in a move aimed at strengthening oversight and safeguarding public health.

Mr Motsamai urged residents to limit unnecessary movement and take personal responsibility for preventing the spread of FMD, stressing that disease control was a collective responsibility and not solely the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture’s mandate.

He said government was aware of the impact that restrictions on livestock trade and movement has had on Batswana, particularly farmers whose livelihoods depended on cattle.

However, he cautioned that as livestock sales resumed, farmers needed to remain vigilant and observe disease-control protocols to protect their herds from infection and prevent further spread of the disease.

On his part, Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Olorato Tshireletso said Botswana was making progress in its fight against FMD, expressing optimism that the country was moving closer to a disease-free status.

He said the progress had enabled the country to reopen livestock marketing opportunities, including sales to external markets, subject to the applicable regulations.

He added that each farmer would be permitted to sell livestock once, while trading licenses would be issued exclusively to Botswana citizens, who would be the only ones authorised to engage in the business.

Dr Tshireletso also urged farmers to purchase and use ear tags to improve livestock traceability, saying the measure was important in monitoring animal movements and strengthening disease control.

He said Botswana had engaged countries such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ghana to discuss the country’s FMD situation. Discussions had also been held with countries such as China regarding the regulations and the status of the disease in Botswana.

Dr Tshireletso explained that when the outbreak was at its worst, Botswana notified the European market, which subsequently suspended the country’s access to its market.

However, with the disease now under control, he said authorities hoped to invite European representatives next year to assess the country’s progress and verify the control measures implemented, with the aim of restoring market access. ENDS