By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Zambia has with immediate effect halted all livestock imports from South Africa following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), in that country.
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the suspension in a statement on Saturday.
Principal Public Relations Officer Benny Munyama, revealed that all permits for cloven-hoofed animals have been revoked with immediate effect.
Mr. Munyama explained that the suspension also covers livestock feeds, trophies, skins, hides, and hooves originating from South Africa.
He emphasized that dairy products and other cloven-hoofed animal products will only be considered under strict international health code measures.
“Issuance of permits for the importation of cloven-hoofed animal products; e.g. dairy products from South Africa has been suspended unless strict mitigation measures are undertaken in accordance with the conditions as provided for in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE Vol. 2 of 2025,” Mr.Munyama said.
Mr. Munyama highlighted that transit permits for live animals from South Africa through Zambia have also been halted.
“Issuance of permits for the transiting of live cloven hoofed-animals from South Africa through Zambia has been suspended. All issued permits are revoked with immediate effect,” he added.
He stated that the precautionary measures are designed to protect Zambia’s livestock industry from the spread of the disease.
The Ministry’s Principal Public Relations Officer affirmed that the measures will be reviewed depending on the progression of the outbreak in South Africa.
“We wish to inform members of the public, farmers, and all our stakeholders that these precautionary measures will be reviewed depending on the progression of the FMD outbreak situation in South Africa,” Mr. Munyama said.
