The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has said the European Union has temporarily suspended beef imports from areas affected by the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), while exports from unaffected zones will continue.
According to the ministry, the restriction follows the confirmation of FMD cases in zones 6b and 3c, prompting the EU to halt imports from those specific areas in line with international animal health regulations.
The ministry said Botswana continues to apply a zonal disease-control system recognised by international trading partners, which allows beef exports to continue from areas that meet required animal health standards even when outbreaks occur elsewhere in the country.
Authorities said the suspension only applies to the affected zones and does not amount to a blanket ban on Botswana beef. Exports to the European Union will continue from other regions that were previously authorised and remain free from the current outbreak.
The ministry said Botswana continues to apply a zonal disease-control system recognised by international trading partners, which allows beef exports to continue from areas that meet required animal health standards even when outbreaks occur elsewhere in the country.
Officials said veterinary teams are working to contain the outbreak in the affected zones through movement controls, surveillance and other disease-management measures aimed at restoring the country’s full export status as soon as possible.
The European Union is one of Botswana’s key beef export markets.
