FMD spread paralyzes beef industry

 

The Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak continues to disrupt livestock farming operations across the country, with fresh suspected cases reported in the Southern Districts and movement restrictions still in force as authorities intensify containment measures. The situation has left farmers, traders and meat processors facing uncertainty as the disease spreads into new areas and continues to affect livelihoods linked to livestock production.

A press statement issued last Friday by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture confirms that disease surveillance has detected a suspected FMD case in one kraal in Goodhope District, Digawana extension area (Leboeng), near the Lejwana crush point, where earlier cases had already been recorded.

The Ministry further stated that additional suspected infections have been identified in two farms within the Banyana farming area, namely Steelbase Farm and Mpusang Farm (Blekis), both located close to the South African border, raising concerns about cross-border livestock movement and the risk of regional transmission.

The Ministry has maintained that all livestock movement restrictions announced earlier in May remain in effect until further notice.

Farmers have been urged to comply with the regulations designed to limit the spread of the disease, with authorities warning that unauthorised movement of animals continues to undermine containment efforts in some areas.

Veterinary teams are continuing with vaccination campaigns in affected zones and surrounding communities as part of the national response plan.

In Goodhope District, officials report that the first round of vaccination has been completed, while the second round is currently underway as of 12 May 2026. In the Banyana farming area, vaccination of affected herds is also ongoing.

In contrast, northern regions have so far not reported new cases, with surveillance indicating that the situation remains stable. Vaccination continues in zones 6B South and 3C Tutume as part of broader national efforts to prevent further spread.

The prolonged restrictions and uncertainty have begun to affect the livestock value chain, particularly butcheries and meat retailers. Several butcheries have temporarily closed branches due to disruptions in livestock supply, while others have reduced operations as they struggle to maintain stock levels. Business owners have expressed concern that if restrictions continue without a clear recovery timeline, some outlets may close permanently.

Workers in affected businesses are also facing job losses and unpaid leave as operations are scaled down.

Farmers in affected districts say the situation has become difficult to manage, as they seek clarity on how long containment measures will remain in place and what support will be provided to sustain livelihoods during the outbreak.

Some livestock owners argue that communication on the long-term plan remains unclear, leaving them unable to make informed decisions about production and sales.

Concerns have also been raised over livestock management practices in farming areas, with farmers blaming uncontrolled movement of people and vehicles within cattle zones for contributing to the spread of the disease.

Reports from affected communities suggest that some residents leave settlement gates and farm entrances open, particularly during the night, allowing animals to move freely between grazing areas and kraals.

Farmers say that while there is some level of compliance during the day, lapses at night are creating conditions that may be accelerating transmission. Speaking in an interview, Badisakgomo spokesperson Odirile Kamodi said

there is growing concern among farmers that FMD continues to spread in feedlots where large numbers of cattle are kept in confined spaces.

He said farmers suspect that infections may be linked not only to direct contact between animals but also to contaminated feeds or the movement of monitoring and touring vehicles between farms.

“There are suspicions that the disease is not only spreading through direct animal contact but could also be linked to feeds or vehicles entering and leaving multiple kraals without proper control measures,” Kamodi said.

He added that stricter enforcement of access controls at farms is urgently needed, noting that many gates are left open by drivers and visitors, especially at night, creating opportunities for uncontrolled animal movement. Kamodi stressed the importance of strict gate management, saying negligence in some areas is placing entire herds at risk.

“People must ensure that gates are properly closed at all times. During the day there is some level of discipline, but at night we are seeing negligence that puts entire herds at risk,” he said.

He also raised concerns about practices in villages and surrounding settlements, where some residents continue to consume meat from cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, despite restrictions and veterinary advisories linked to the outbreak.

He warned that such behaviour could undermine disease control efforts and called for stronger public adherence to veterinary health guidelines.

“Compliance is key if we are to bring this situation under control. People must understand that ignoring guidelines places the entire livestock industry at risk,” Kamodi said.

Farmers in several districts have echoed similar sentiments, saying enforcement of restrictions remains inconsistent in some areas where informal livestock movement is still observed. The ongoing outbreak has placed pressure on veterinary services and government agencies responsible for disease control, as farmers demand clearer communication on recovery timelines and possible compensation measures.

While vaccination and surveillance operations continue, uncertainty remains high, particularly in southern districts where new suspected cases have emerged close to previously contained zones. The proximity of affected farms in border areas such as Banyana has further complicated containment efforts, with concerns that livestock movement between Botswana and South Africa could contribute to continued transmission if not strictly controlled.

Farmers in these areas say cross-border risks require stronger coordination between neighbouring countries.

Beyond farming communities, the outbreak is beginning to ripple through local economies tied to livestock production, including meat processing, transport, and retail sectors.

With butcheries closing branches and supply chains disrupted, the communities dependent on the livestock trade are feeling the impact. Some employees have already been placed on unpaid leave as businesses adjust to reduced operations.

Farmers say the situation is becoming difficult to manage without additional support measures, especially as restrictions continue without a clear end date. They argue that while disease control is necessary, the economic pressure on rural livelihoods is increasing and requires urgent attention.

The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has called on all stakeholders to remain patient and cooperate with ongoing control measures. These include continued surveillance, disinfection of vehicles and personnel at checkpoints, and strict enforcement of livestock movement controls across affected zones.

Members of the public have also been urged to report any suspected signs of FMD, including lameness in animals and excessive salivation, to the nearest Department of Veterinary Services office or police station.