Batswana Urged to Avoid Meat and Meat Products Amid Foot and Mouth Disease Threat

Article By: DIANA MOTSU

Batswana have been urged not to import meat or meat products following a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in neighbouring South Africa.

Acting Agricultural Coordinator for Tsabong, Dr Tshepang Moeng, warned that an outbreak could trigger livestock export bans and restrictions on meat products, with serious economic impacts on households dependent on livestock sales.

He urged the community to report animals showing suspicious symptoms and stressed the importance of animal marking for traceability.

Dr Moeng told Gabz FM News that  veterinary and police teams are patrolling the border. The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture advises farmers to control livestock movement, report suspected cases, and notify authorities of breaches at the disease control fence or illegal vaccine use.