The United Kingdom has warned that it may impose fresh import restrictions on Botswana beef following the confirmation of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the country’s North East District, raising concerns over one of Botswana’s key agricultural exports.
In official guidance issued on 30 January 2026 and updated on 5 February, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said consignments of fresh bovine meat and untreated animal by-products from Botswana should be held pending further assessment of the disease situation.
The warning follows Botswana’s notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of an FMD outbreak detected in a herd of cattle in Disease Control Zone 6B. This zone is already barred from exporting fresh bovine meat to Great Britain due to a previous FMD outbreak in 2022. However, other parts of Botswana, designated Zones BW-1 to BW-5, remain approved exporters under current UK regulations.
Defra noted that while imports from Zone 6B are already prohibited, the latest outbreak has prompted a wider risk assessment. ‘Due to a recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Botswana, consignments from Botswana of fresh bovine meat and animal by-products that have not undergone a form of risk-mitigating treatment should be held,’ the UK guidance states.
The UK authority added that Botswana’s veterinary authorities have suspended all exports as a precaution while epidemiological investigations and animal movement tracing are carried out. Defra said it is ‘currently assessing the situation’ and could implement further import restrictions through amendments to its list of approved exporting regions ‘if deemed necessary.’
‘A separate OVS note will be issued if further restrictions are implemented,’ Defra said, signalling that a broader ban on Botswana beef exports to the UK remains a possibility.
the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has confirmed the outbreak and announced stringent containment measures. In a press release dated 2 February 2026, the ministry said laboratory investigations had confirmed FMD at Jackalas No. 1 village crush in the North East District, within Disease Control Zone 6B.
The ministry also reported suspected cases at Moroka and Kgari village crushes in the neighbouring Disease Control Zone 3C, with investigations still ongoing. To curb the spread of the disease, vaccination campaigns are set to begin on 3 February in Zones 6B and 3C.
‘Additional prevention measures include prohibition of transportation, movement or slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals, including for personal consumption or social events, countrywide except in zones 1 (Chobe) and 2 (Ngamiland),’ the ministry said.
Acting Director of Veterinary Services Dr Kobedi Sedale urged farmers and the public to cooperate fully with disease surveillance teams and to comply strictly with all control measures. He also called on livestock owners to promptly report any signs of illness to veterinary officials or the police.
Botswana’s beef industry is a critical source of export earnings and rural livelihoods, with the UK among its premium markets. Any suspension or tightening of access could have significant economic implications, particularly for farmers already grappling with recurring animal disease outbreaks.