Online Reporter
The Herald, 5 August 1989
THE recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Charter district had led to an extension of the suspension of Zimbabwean beef from the European Economic Community, director of veterinary services Dr Stuart Hargreaves said in Harare yesterday.
He said that before the outbreak of the disease on July 27, negotiations for the resumption of prime beef exports to the EEC were supposed to take place this month.
Hopes had also been that the ban on beef exports could be lifted by the end of the year.
“It will not be this year nor early next year. This new development has seriously affected the beef industry,” Dr Hargreaves said.
The beef export quota which is estimated to earn Zimbabwe about $100 million in foreign currency was suspended last May following a foot-and-mouth outbreak in Mtorashanga where 66 head of cattle were destroyed.
Other outbreaks were reported in the Midlands and Matabeleland. Beef exports to the EEC come from Mashonaland only.
The veterinary director said negotiations for the resumption of exports would be undertaken when the disease was under control and conceded that at present “it is not controlled”.
The suspension of beef exports to the EEC affected the exports of dairy products to neighbouring markets as well. Last month, the chairman of the Agricultural Marketing Authority, Cde Cephas Msipa, said Zimbabwe was looking for alternative beef markets.
“We are now looking for alternative markets to sell our beef, because as far as the EEC is concerned, the door is closed.”
Lessons for today:
- The was serious economic and agricultural consequences of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was earning approximately $100 million in foreign currency from beef exports to the European Economic Community (EEC). The suspension of these exports due to the disease outbreak meant a significant loss of income, especially in a sector that was a major contributor to the national economy.
- This not only affected immediate revenues but also undermined investor and market confidence in Zimbabwe’s agricultural reliability. The ban also affected dairy exports to neighbouring markets, showing how interconnected agricultural sectors are.
- The Government began looking for new markets for beef, which was costly and time-consuming, especially when trying to meet new regulatory standards.
- Relying heavily on a single export market or product can be risky hence diversification of both products and markets is key to economic resilience.
- Compliance with international health and safety standards is non-negotiable in global trade. A single outbreak can shut down access to lucrative markets.
