By Obiabin Onukwugha
A devastating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is spreading across South Africa, thereby forcing the Zambian government to shut its border to all South African livestock and related products, in an urgent biosecurity move.
His comes as Pretoria also declared the FMD a national disaster.
The Zambian Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the suspension with immediate effect, revoking all previously issued import permits.
“The ministry has suspended all livestock import permits from South Africa following the outbreak of FMD in that country,” said Zambian spokesperson, Benny Munyama.
According to Munyama, “the ban extends beyond live animals to include livestock feeds, trophies, skins, hides, and cloven-hoofed animal products such as dairy, unless strict mitigation measures are implemented.”
The government also announced that transit of live animals from South Africa through Zambia has also been halted.
The drastic measure followed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of the FMD crisis as a national disaster during his State of the Nation Address, at the weekend.
The outbreak has now spread to all nine provinces, with the Western and Northern Capes implementing quarantine measures at affected farms.
Ramaphosa acknowledged the disease as “among the worst outbreaks” the country has experienced, establishing a task team of farmers and experts to report monthly on progress.
South Africa plans to vaccinate 14 million cattle over 12 months using 28 million doses, so as to contain spread of the disease.
The government is also importing vaccines from Botswana, Türkiye, and Argentina while local producer Onderstepoort ramps up production.
Africanews reported that the outbreak has already battered South Africa’s beef industry, with exports to China plummeting 69% last year following Beijing’s import ban.
Zambian authorities however say their precautionary measures will be reviewed based on the outbreak’s progression in South Africa.
