The Government has suspended importation of live, cloven-hoofed animals and related products from South Africa due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) affecting the non-vaccination disease-free zone in the Limpopo Province.
In a press release the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement said South Africa reported about the disease which affects mainly cattle on the 7th of January 2019.
“The control of Foot and Mouth Disease involves implementation of trade restrictions,” the Ministry said in the press release.
FMD has been a challenge in Zimbabwe and cattle sale in Beitbridge were suspended last year due to the outbreak of the disease.
The Government also canceled permits to import livestock from South Africa as a measure to stop the spread of FMD into Zimbabwe.
” Consequently, all import permits that had been issued before 09/01/2019 and not used, are hereby canceled,” the Lands Ministry said.
“In line with the Animal Health Act CAP 19:01, the issuance of permits is a mandatory requirement for the important of all animal products.”
“Any import application will now be considered on a case by case basis depending on the risk.”
South Africa is one of Zimbabwe’s largest trade partner with the Beitbridge border post being the busiest in the Southern African region.
“Towards normalizing trade with South Africain these commodities, the Department of Veterinary Services continues to monitor the situation, in view of progress to be made in the control of the outbreak.” the Ministry of Lands said.