SA and Botswana Launch Joint Action Plan to Combat Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease is one of the most serious livestock diseases affecting cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals globally.

South Africa and Botswana have taken a major step toward strengthening regional agricultural cooperation by endorsing a comprehensive 2026–2028 Action Plan aimed at combating Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), improving biosecurity systems and enhancing cross-border livestock management.

The agreement was reached during the Sixth Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Gaborone, where both countries committed to intensifying coordinated efforts against transboundary animal diseases that continue to threaten livestock industries, rural livelihoods and regional agricultural trade.

South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen welcomed the agreement, describing it as a crucial milestone in developing a more integrated and cooperative regional biosecurity framework within Southern Africa.

Foot and Mouth Disease Remains Major Regional Threat

Foot and Mouth Disease is one of the most serious livestock diseases affecting cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals globally. Outbreaks can severely disrupt agricultural production, food security, livestock trade and rural economies.

Minister Steenhuisen emphasized that FMD continues to pose a major threat across Southern Africa and warned that no country can successfully tackle the disease independently.

"With FMD posing an ongoing regional threat to livestock production, rural livelihoods and agricultural trade, it is clear that no country can defeat this disease in isolation," Steenhuisen said.

The disease has repeatedly affected livestock movement and agricultural exports in parts of Southern Africa, leading to economic losses for farmers and disruptions in meat export markets.

Cross-Border Cooperation Becomes Central Strategy

The new Action Plan focuses heavily on coordinated regional responses involving both countries.

South Africa and Botswana agreed to strengthen collaboration through:

• Coordinated vaccination campaigns

• Border fence maintenance

• Joint disease surveillance

• Improved diagnostic capacity

• Farmer training programmes

• Enhanced animal traceability systems

The agreement recognises that transboundary animal diseases require collective regional management rather than isolated national responses.

Steenhuisen stressed that proper border management is essential for protecting both countries' agricultural industries.

"The old saying tells us that good fences make good neighbours, but in the face of FMD, strong and properly maintained border fences help protect the livestock industries, livelihoods and agricultural economies of both our nations," he said.

New Transboundary Animal Disease Plan to Cover Key Border Areas

One of the key outcomes of the agreement is the establishment of a Transboundary Animal Disease (TAD) Plan covering critical border regions such as:

• Lobatse–Mahikeng

• Francistown–Musina

These border areas are considered strategically important for livestock movement and disease monitoring between the two countries.

The plan will focus on:

• Joint disease management strategies

• Coordinated cross-border vaccination efforts

• Strengthening veterinary diagnostic systems

• Biosecurity monitoring

• Livestock movement control

Officials believe the initiative will help reduce future outbreaks while protecting regional agricultural trade and food systems.

Vaccination and Diagnostic Capacity to Be Expanded

The agreement also prioritises strengthening veterinary and diagnostic infrastructure.

According to the Minister, improved laboratory capacity and coordinated vaccination programmes are essential for early disease detection and outbreak prevention.

"Strengthening of diagnostic capacity, coordinated cross border vaccination programmes, maintenance of border fences, and joint livestock farmer exchange and training programmes will all play an important role in safeguarding our livestock industries," Steenhuisen said.

Agricultural experts say early diagnosis and rapid vaccination responses are among the most effective tools for limiting the spread of FMD.

Cross-Border Stock Theft Task Force to Be Established

In addition to disease control, South Africa and Botswana also agreed to intensify cooperation against stock theft, which authorities identified as the leading crime affecting both countries.

Law enforcement agencies from both nations reported that livestock theft remains a major challenge for farmers operating near border regions.

To address the problem, the two countries agreed to establish a Cross-Border Stock Theft Management Task Force by September 2026.

Officials believe the task force will help:

• Improve cross-border policing coordination

• Reduce livestock theft

• Strengthen animal movement tracking

• Improve agricultural security

The initiative is expected to support both disease management and crime prevention efforts.

Traceability Systems Seen as Critical for Future Biosecurity

Minister Steenhuisen stressed that stronger livestock traceability systems will play a key role in managing future outbreaks and improving agricultural governance.

He said effective traceability helps authorities:

• Monitor animal movement

• Identify outbreak sources quickly

• Improve food safety systems

• Reduce illegal livestock trade

• Strengthen export compliance

Experts say modern traceability technologies are becoming increasingly important for countries seeking to maintain access to international agricultural markets.

Southern Africa Moves Toward Unified Regional Biosecurity Strategy

The Minister welcomed the broader commitment by South Africa and Botswana to champion stronger biosecurity cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The issue is expected to receive major attention during the upcoming SADC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting scheduled for 29 May 2026 in Zimbabwe, where Steenhuisen will chair discussions.

The meeting is expected to focus heavily on developing a unified regional strategy for controlling and ultimately eradicating Foot and Mouth Disease across Southern Africa.

Steenhuisen said international experience demonstrates that regional coordination is essential for long-term success.

"One of the clearest lessons from countries in South America that have successfully controlled FMD is that regional coordination is essential," he said.

Regional Antigen Bank Proposed as Long-Term Goal

The Minister also highlighted the longer-term ambition of establishing a regional antigen bank for Southern Africa.

An antigen bank stores vaccine materials that can be rapidly deployed during outbreaks, helping countries respond more effectively to disease emergencies.

Experts believe such a regional system could significantly improve outbreak response times and reduce the economic damage caused by livestock diseases.

Steenhuisen said Southern Africa must move toward a more integrated and coordinated regional biosecurity system capable of responding rapidly to future disease threats.

Agricultural Trade Restrictions Also Discussed

The ongoing issue of restrictions on certain South African agricultural exports into Botswana was also addressed during bilateral discussions.

South Africa raised concerns regarding reports that some agricultural products faced border restrictions without prior formal communication, despite agreements reached during earlier BNC engagements in 2022.

Steenhuisen emphasized that agricultural trade disputes should be managed through transparency, cooperation and bilateral engagement rather than unilateral actions.

New Agricultural Trade Task Team to Improve Communication

To improve trade coordination, the two countries agreed to establish:

• A Communication Protocol

• A Bilateral Agricultural Trade Task Team by June 2026

These mechanisms are intended to:

• Improve communication between governments

• Strengthen institutional cooperation

• Resolve trade disputes early

• Improve market access for agricultural products

• Increase certainty for exporters and farmers

"Greater coordination and transparency will provide increased certainty to producers, exporters, retailers and agricultural stakeholders on both sides of the border," Steenhuisen said.

Regional Agricultural Integration Gains Momentum

The agreement between South Africa and Botswana reflects growing efforts across Southern Africa to strengthen regional agricultural integration, food security and disease management systems.

As climate change, animal diseases and trade disruptions increasingly threaten agricultural economies, governments are placing greater emphasis on coordinated regional responses and stronger cross-border partnerships.

Officials believe the new Action Plan could become an important model for broader regional cooperation under SADC and contribute significantly to protecting livestock industries and agricultural trade across Southern Africa.