Online Reporter
Livestock production experts from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have called for stronger regional co-operation in fighting the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that is threatening the region’s beef industry.
The experts say there is an urgent need to protect millions of livelihoods dependent on livestock production in the region.
The officials say the rapid spread of the highly contagious disease has exposed gaps in cross-border livestock management systems hence the need for co-ordinated surveillance, harmonised control measures and joint response strategies among SADC countries.
In Zimbabwe, the impact of FMD outbreak is severe in Matabeleland where livestock farming is key in ensuring food security, income generation and draught power.
Speaking during a regional engagement on agriculture and livestock systems in Victoria Falls recently, chairperson of the SADC committee of senior officials responsible for agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture, Mr
Mooketsa Ramasodi said the outbreak of FMD was already disrupting economic activity across the region“The FMD outbreak is affecting several beef producing SADC countries hence its effects are being felt across the region,” he said.
Mr Ramasodi warned that fragmented national responses could undermine efforts to contain transboundary animal diseases.
He said livestock movement across the countries’ porous borders makes it difficult for individual countries to effectively contain livestock diseases on their own. SADC director of food, agriculture and natural resources, Mr Fahari Marwa said the outbreak of FMD had highlighted the need for stronger regional systems to respond to animal health threats.
He said co-ordinated surveillance, information sharing and joint preparedness strategies are essential given the interconnected nature of livestock management systems in the region.
“The livestock sector is already under pressure from climate shocks, rising input costs and global supply disruptions, making regional co-operation even more urgent,” said Mr Marwa.
Veterinary experts say FMD remains one of the most economically damaging livestock diseases due to its rapid transmission and the tight trade restrictions imposed on affected areas.
They say although FMD does not pose a threat to human health, its impact on trade and food systems is far-reaching.
Zimbabwe lost its 9 100 tonnes annual beef export quota to the European union (EU) in 2001 following an outbreak of FMD and the exports remain suspended.
It is therefore imperative for SADC to move swiftly to strengthen its regional co-operation in fighting livestock diseases.
Countries in the region need to pool resources together to enable them to coordinate surveillance, harmonise control measures and jointly respond to outbreak of diseases.
The countries can only win the fight against livestock diseases as a united force with adequate resources hence the need to pool resources together.
