Government has approved a renewed dispensation for live cattle and meat product exports to help livestock farmers recover from months of disrupted marketing caused by the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.
The arrangement, announced by Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr. Edwin Dikoloti at a media engagement at Grand Aria this week, is intended to help farmers sell accumulated livestock, improve cash flow and meet their financial obligations while supporting the management of the disease.
Under the new dispensation, live cattle exports will be permitted for six months and restricted to slaughter-ready steers, while meat and meat product exports will be allowed for 12 months.
Dikoloti said the initiative would provide additional marketing opportunities for eligible farmers and businesses following prolonged movement restrictions that had affected normal livestock trading.
The new arrangement introduces safeguards intended to ensure wider participation and prevent a disproportionate concentration of export opportunities among a small number of traders.
Each farmer or livestock buyer will be limited to a single export permit, while the live cattle export levy will increase from P30 to P300 per head. The domestic slaughter levy will remain at P30 per head until the domestic market stabilises sufficiently for a formal review.
Meat exports under the dispensation will be restricted to citizens and citizen-owned companies.
The previous live cattle export arrangement, introduced in 2019 as a temporary measure, was renewed four times over six years before ending on April 30, 2025. During its operation, local producers exported more than 551,570 cattle, primarily to South Africa and Namibia.
However, Dikoloti said the benefits had not been distributed evenly, with a relatively small number of participants capturing a disproportionate share of the opportunities.
The revised arrangement is therefore intended to promote inclusivity, citizen empowerment and fairer access to export markets.
The Minister said the dispensation would also support disease management by facilitating the reduction of livestock numbers where appropriate and subject to veterinary requirements, potentially reducing the need for costly and rigorous testing to establish infection clearance.
In another development offering relief to producers, the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) has commenced slaughtering cattle from fenced farms and quarantines within the containment zone.
Approximately 1,000 cattle had been processed by the time of Dikoloti’s address, providing an alternative marketing channel for eligible farmers while restrictions remain in place.
Individual livestock slaughter will also be permitted across all zones, subject to conditions determined by the prevailing disease situation in each area.
Dikoloti said the opportunities for economic recovery were emerging alongside progress in the national disease-control programme, which has required substantial public expenditure and extensive vaccination campaigns.
Government has redirected approximately P97 million towards FMD control since the outbreak began in January 2026.
The Minister also praised the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) for maintaining vaccine supplies amid unprecedented regional outbreaks and surging demand.
As of October 9, 2026, BVI had supplied 4,852,484 doses of FMD vaccine for the 2026/27 financial year, demonstrating its capacity to fulfil contractual obligations while supporting disease-control efforts in Botswana and other countries.
Botswana received 948,000 doses, while Zambia received 1,638,854 and Namibia 1,283,000. Zimbabwe received 373,000 doses, with Eswatini and Mozambique each receiving 300,000. Mauritius received 6,000 doses and Kenya 3,630.
Dikoloti described the country’s locally produced FMD vaccine as a major scientific achievement, saying the outbreak had highlighted the importance of Botswana’s veterinary expertise and vaccine production capacity.
He said Government’s response would continue to be guided by veterinary evidence, the public interest and the long-term sustainability of the livestock industry.
While acknowledging the financial pressure experienced by farmers, the Minister called for continued compliance with movement restrictions, vaccination requirements and biosecurity measures to protect the gains made in containing the disease.
Dikoloti said the renewed export dispensation, alongside BMC slaughtering operations and continued vaccination, is part of Government’s efforts to restore livestock marketing opportunities while safeguarding the national herd.
He said the ultimate objective remained to protect livestock, restore markets, strengthen farmers and secure the future.