Let’s fight FMD as a collective

The recently confirmed outbreak of the contagious Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the North-East border village of Butale should be a great source of concern to the villagers and the country as a whole.

FMD outbreaks have in the past had negative impact on the beef industry in Botswana as they continue to prevent the country from gaining access to the lucrative beef markets such as the European Union (EU) and others. As a bovine disease, FMD is arguably one of the most problematic livestock diseases to deal with in terms of economic impact, yet it can easily be contained when people cooperate with the authorities.

Once confirmed, the livestock malady brings everything to a standstill in an endeavour to control it. In the process, the beef industry is negatively impacted, as the outbreaks tend to cripple the beef and cattle industries. Illegal trafficking of live animals and their products across the two countries’ (Botswana, Zimbabwe) borders has incessantly been blamed for the spread of the FMD virus into Botswana.

It is common cause after all that Botswana has to grapple with huge expenditure to reverse the debilitating effects of the disease caused by human errors or recklessness. Reports are abound that some greedy villagers tend to willy-nilly cut the fence along the borderline between Botswana and Zimbabwe to allow their cattle to illegally roam on both sides of the border, a risky development that otherwise continues to spread the disease.

In Zimbabwe, FMD control measures are allegedly weak, leading to the recurring spread of the disease in the border areas. The villagers and their relatives across the border should know better that the incessant outbreaks of FMD have proven to be costly to the government, as it requires radical steps to control and eradicate the disease and to prevent further outbreaks. Some Butale farmers hire herdsmen from Zimbabwe, some of whom are not even documented. It is painful to observe that during the period 2009-2014, Botswana expended P127, 211,668 on the control of FMD. These figures were in the first place hardly budgeted for, which means even government’s budgetary priorities are tempered with leaving the economy in a vulnerable state.

As people break the rules, they should know that livestock has always been the mainstay of the rural economies where there are fewer or no industries to support them. Their actions or inactions can diametrically paralyse the industry that currently anchors the rural economies and has a substantial contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It’s only logical for all and sundry to comply with the requirements as stipulated by the Department of Veterinary Services to avoid causing any harm to the cattle and the beef industries. Batswana should learn to quickly report those who are in the habit of breaking the law to avoid any further harm to the national economy.