adminfoot and mouth disease along the border areas of the two countries.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Dr Joseph Made and his Botswana counterpart, Mr Christiaan De-Graaff, signed the deal in Bulawayo.
As part of the deal the Government of Botswana donated two million doses of FMD vaccines to Zimbabwe. The vaccines would be used to treat an estimated 222 000 cattle in Zimbabwe within 40km radius from the
Botswana/Zimbabwe border every four months for the next two years.
The treatment begins with immediate effect.
The two governments would contribute equally to the cost of the vaccine estimated at P12 million.
The MOU would also see Botswana exporting about 30 000 cattle to Zimbabwe for direct slaughter. The cattle, which would be free from FMD would, however, come from the infected zones in Botswana and would be slaughtered at Cold Storage Company abattoirs in Bulawayo.
Mr De-Graaff said the MoU was the first of its kind in the Sadc region adding that it would enhance improved livestock productivity in the two countries.
“This historic occasion where our two countries are signing an MoU that provides for joint co-operation and collaboration in the control and eradication of FMD is therefore a classic win-win arrangement, which should be an example for all,” said Mr De-Graaff. “Indeed our two countries share a keen interest in controlling and eradicating FMD along our common border. This collaboration is in line with the Sadc common agenda of fostering regional integration and economic development.”
Mr De-Graaff said the region’s efforts to attain high animal health standards were being eroded by the re-emergence of FMD, which had become a dreadful global threat to livestock production. He called on neighbouring countries in the region to work together in finding a lasting solution to the problem of FMD especially at the border areas.
“The development of the livestock industry depends on freedom from trans-boundary animal diseases such as FMD. There is therefore a need for co-operation between neighbouring countries in combating trans-boundary diseases. This co-operation is the first in our region and I trust that it will not be the last but should instead mark the beginning of many more to follow,” he said.
Mr De-Graaff said livestock production was the bedrock of most African countries’ economies and called for concerted efforts towards boosting the sector.
At the moment the Sadc region has an estimated population of more than 44 million cattle, 40 million sheep, 29 million goats and about 200 million poultry and an abundance of pigs and farmed ostriches.
Mr De-Graaff pledged his country’s commitment towards ensuring that the deal becomes a success. He also urged those who would be engaged in the operation to display professionalism and respect the cattle owners in the communities.
Dr Made commended the signing of the MoU and expressed gratitude to the government of Botswana for donating the vaccines to Zimbabwe.
“Livestock production plays a major role in the economy of Zimbabwe and contributes about 30 percent of agricultural output,” said Dr Made. “Today we witness the launch of the FMD eradication strategy to be implemented by the two countries. I also express my profound gratitude over the donation of vaccines. This would go a long way towards strengthening the control of the disease.”
Dr Made said more than 90 percent of the national herd belonged to small-scale farmers, adding that the Government would work with the farmers to improve the marketing of their cattle in order to restore the country’s export status to the European markets.
He said the importation of cattle from Botswana for slaughter in Zimbabwe would not have a negative effect on the country’s livestock and people’s health.
“There is no need to fear as this arrangement will not affect our animal health. Direct slaughter is allowed as the animals would be escorted to the slaughter points. Thorough check ups would be made at the entry points and at every stage,” said Dr Made.
The development comes at a time when the Veterinary Services Department has banned cattle movement in Matabeleland South following an outbreak of the disease early this year.
Matabeleland South veterinary officer, Dr Enat Mdlongwa, is on record saying the ban would be lifted next year to pave way for effective control of the disease.
The Governor for Bulawayo province Cain Mathema and his counterpart Angeline Masuku from Matabeleland South also lauded the agreement between the two countries describing it as a milestone towards boosting cattle ranching in Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter