South Africa Proposes Protocols to Resume Beef Imports from Botswana's FMD-Free Zones

South Africa has submitted biosecurity protocols to Botswana to allow beef imports from FMD-free areas, pending Botswana's agreement on disease-control measures, potentially reviving Botswana's beef exports.

South Africa's Minister of Agriculture announced that Pretoria has proposed stringent animal disease-control protocols to Botswana, aiming to resume beef imports from designated foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free zones. This move could provide vital support to Botswana's struggling cattle industry, which has faced export restrictions due to FMD outbreaks.

The reopening of the South African market depends on Botswana's acceptance of these protocols and the establishment of mutually agreed disease-control arrangements. Botswana is actively working to restore its FMD-free status through surveillance and livestock movement controls. Both countries have committed to a 2026–2028 action plan focusing on cross-border disease surveillance and veterinary cooperation to manage livestock diseases.