Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare in Victoria Falls
THE outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in parts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region has triggered renewed calls for stronger regional cooperation to protect the beef industry and safeguard millions of livelihoods dependent on livestock production.
Senior officials say the rapid spread of the highly contagious disease has exposed gaps in cross-border livestock management systems, prompting urgent discussions on coordinated surveillance, harmonised control measures and joint response strategies among Member States.
For communities in Matabeleland and other cattle-rearing regions, where livestock plays a central role in food security, income generation and draught power, the continued spread of FMD poses a serious threat not only to household livelihoods but also to regional trade and economic stability.
Speaking during a regional engagement on agriculture and livestock systems, chairperson of the SADC committee of senior officials responsible for agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture, Mr Mooketsa Ramasodi, said the outbreak was already disrupting economic activity across the region.
“We contend with Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks affecting several key beef-producing Member States. The economic and trade effects are being felt across the SADC region,” he said.
Mr Ramasodi warned that fragmented national responses could undermine efforts to contain transboundary animal diseases, stressing the importance of collective action to protect regional beef value chains.
He noted that livestock movement across porous borders makes it difficult for individual countries to effectively contain the disease on their own.
SADC director of food, agriculture and natural resources Mr Fahari Marwa said the outbreak had highlighted the need for stronger regional systems to respond to animal health threats.
He said coordinated surveillance, information sharing and joint preparedness strategies are essential, given the interconnected nature of livestock systems in the region.
“The livestock sector is already under pressure from climate shocks, rising input costs and global supply chain disruptions, making regional cooperation even more urgent,” said Mr Marwa.
Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Professor Obert Jiri echoed similar sentiments, saying transboundary animal diseases require a unified regional response.
“It reminds us that no single Member State can address the challenges of food insecurity, agricultural productivity, and fisheries management alone,” he said.
Veterinary experts say FMD remains one of the most economically damaging livestock diseases due to its rapid transmission and the strict trade restrictions imposed on affected areas.
Chief Director for Veterinary Services Dr Pious Makaya said although the disease does not pose a threat to human health, its impact on trade and food systems is far-reaching.
“Its impact on regional trade, exports and food systems is significant, particularly in beef-producing countries reliant on cross-border markets,” he said.
Dr Makaya identified informal cross-border livestock movement as one of the key drivers of disease transmission, calling for stricter enforcement of animal health regulations and improved regional monitoring systems.
Officials are now advocating for a fully integrated SADC animal health framework, which would include coordinated vaccination programmes, shared disease surveillance systems and rapid-response mechanisms to strengthen the region’s ability to contain outbreaks.
The beef industry remains a key economic pillar in many Southern African countries, supporting rural livelihoods, exports and broader economic activity.
