Beef export ban to EU lifted
Two months suspension of beef exports to the European Union ( EU) has been lifted following control of an outbreak of foot and mouth in the northeast part of the country, reported in August.
The development comes as a relief to both farmers and the financially strapped Botswana Meat Commission ( BMC), the sole exporter of the country’s beef. Seasoned Mookane farmer, Thapelo Setlalekgosi is one of the stakeholders that has longed for the development. “As a country, we need more market avenues to access and the EU market is one of the few we are privileged to access as a country. “So the resumption of exports is good news to farmers and the country’s economy,” said Setlalekgosi. The suspension had affected both live cattle and beef exports, following an outbreak of foot and mouth that was partially lifted in September, allowing exports from areas declared free of the disease, although sales to Europe, which has tougher import restrictions, remained suspended with government officials saying negotiations with the bloc were under way. “Farmers and stakeholders are informed that exports of beef to the EU have resumed and are reminded of the usual requirements to be followed,” said a statement from the Agriculture Ministry’s Acting Director of Veterinary Services, Kefentse Motshegwa.
So far, only cattle from seven of the country’s 19 designated disease control zones will be allowed, and the animals will have to be placed in cattle holdings approved for EU exports for a period of 40 days before slaughter.
Early this year, government extended financial support to BMC, to ease the abattoir’s cash flow so that it pays farmers and other suppliers on time.
The consideration was on the backdrop that cattle rearing is the main source of livelihoods for the majority of Batswana, especially in the rural areas.
Apart from the EU, BMC has been pursuing other markets, including China, as part of the company’s endeavours to touch all the high- end markets including the US and the Middle East.
Botswana stopped exporting beef to the Asian country following the outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia ( CBPP), also known as lung disease, a contagious bacterial disease that afflicts the lungs of cattle and buffalo that plagued the country in the early 90s.