John Steenhuisen Welcomes South Africa and Botswana’s Bold New Action Plan to Combat Foot and Mouth Disease

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the endorsement of a comprehensive 2026 to 2028 Action Plan between South Africa and Botswana aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The agreement represents a major step towards improving livestock health, protecting rural livelihoods and securing agricultural trade across the region. The discussions took place during the Sixth Session of the Bi-National Commission held in Gaborone on 21 May 2026. Cyril Ramaphosa led the South African delegation during the high-level talks. The meeting highlighted the urgency of addressing transboundary animal diseases through stronger cooperation between neighbouring countries.

Minister Steenhuisen stressed that Foot and Mouth Disease remains one of the biggest threats to livestock production and agricultural economies in Southern Africa. He explained that no country can defeat the disease on its own because animal diseases move across borders and affect entire regional supply chains. The minister said properly maintained border fences are essential for protecting livestock industries, agricultural trade and the livelihoods of farmers in both countries. He also made it clear that stronger border systems are not meant to divide neighbouring nations, but rather to support a coordinated regional biosecurity system. His remarks reflected growing concern over the impact of FMD outbreaks on food security, exports and economic stability within the agricultural sector.

The Action Plan was identified as one of the High Impact Priority Projects of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Botswana. Both governments agreed that urgent implementation measures are necessary to improve disease prevention and control. The agriculture ministers from both countries were directed by President Ramaphosa and Botswana’s President Bonga to accelerate efforts aimed at eradicating transboundary diseases. The plan also focuses on improving market access for agricultural products between the two nations. Leaders believe that closer cooperation will help strengthen the agricultural relationship while also improving regional food systems and trade opportunities.

One of the most important outcomes of the discussions was the agreement to establish a Transboundary Animal Disease Plan covering key border regions such as Lobatse-Mahikeng and Francistown-Musina. These areas are considered important livestock and trade corridors between South Africa and Botswana. The agreement includes strengthening diagnostic capacity, coordinating cross-border vaccination programmes and maintaining border fences more effectively. Joint livestock farmer exchange programmes and training initiatives will also form part of the cooperation efforts. Minister Steenhuisen said these measures are necessary to safeguard livestock industries against future disease outbreaks and to improve long-term disease eradication efforts.

The discussions also focused heavily on the growing problem of stock theft, which law enforcement agencies from both countries identified as the number one crime affecting farmers across the border. Stock theft continues to cause serious financial losses for livestock farmers and weakens agricultural productivity in rural communities. To address this challenge, South Africa and Botswana agreed to establish a cross-border Stock Theft Management Task Force by September 2026. The task force is expected to improve coordination between law enforcement authorities and strengthen efforts to recover stolen livestock. Farmers on both sides of the border are expected to benefit from improved security measures and stronger cooperation between the two governments.

Another major development welcomed by Minister Steenhuisen was the agreement on the mutual recognition of livestock traceability systems between South Africa and Botswana. Traceability systems are essential for monitoring animal movement, controlling disease outbreaks and improving food safety standards. The minister explained that better traceability systems will also play a key role in reducing stock theft and strengthening regional agricultural trade. Improved monitoring systems can provide exporters and farmers with greater confidence while helping authorities respond faster during disease outbreaks. The agreement is expected to support broader efforts to modernise livestock management systems in the region.

Minister Steenhuisen also praised the decision by South Africa and Botswana to champion stronger regional biosecurity cooperation within the Southern African Development Community. The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming SADC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe on 29 May 2026, where Minister Steenhuisen is expected to serve as chairperson. The development of a unified regional strategy for the control and eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease is expected to feature prominently on the agenda. The minister pointed out that countries in South America that successfully controlled FMD relied heavily on regional coordination and cooperation. He said Southern Africa must adopt a far more integrated biosecurity approach because diseases do not recognise national borders.

One of the long-term goals discussed during the talks is the establishment of a regional antigen bank to strengthen the region’s ability to respond quickly to future outbreaks. Such a system would help countries access vaccines and disease-control resources more efficiently during emergencies. Agricultural experts believe this could significantly improve the region’s preparedness and reduce economic losses caused by livestock diseases. The proposed regional approach reflects growing recognition that Southern African countries need stronger partnerships to manage animal health risks effectively. The cooperation between South Africa and Botswana is therefore being viewed as an important model for future regional initiatives.

The issue of import restrictions on certain South African agricultural products entering Botswana also formed part of the bilateral discussions. Minister Steenhuisen expressed concern over reports that some agricultural exports had faced border restrictions without prior formal communication. He noted that previous understandings had already been reached during the 2022 Bi-National Commission process. South Africa believes trade-related matters should always be resolved through constructive engagement, transparency and mutual respect between neighbouring countries. Both governments agreed that improved communication mechanisms are necessary to prevent future trade disputes and protect the interests of producers and exporters.

To strengthen trade relations, the commission endorsed a Communication Protocol and approved the establishment of a Bilateral Agricultural Trade Task Team by June 2026. These structures are expected to improve communication between the two countries and help resolve trade concerns before they escalate into larger disputes. Minister Steenhuisen said better coordination and transparency will provide greater certainty for producers, retailers, exporters and agricultural stakeholders on both sides of the border. He added that stronger institutional cooperation will contribute to a more stable and predictable trading environment. The agreement is also expected to strengthen the long-term agricultural relationship between South Africa and Botswana.

The endorsement of the 2026 to 2028 Action Plan marks a significant milestone in the effort to strengthen regional agricultural cooperation and protect livestock industries in Southern Africa. The agreement demonstrates a shared commitment by South Africa and Botswana to tackle Foot and Mouth Disease through coordinated action, improved border management and stronger disease-control systems. It also reflects the importance of regional partnerships in addressing challenges such as stock theft, food safety and agricultural trade. Minister Steenhuisen’s support for the initiative highlights the urgency of building a more integrated biosecurity framework across the region. As both countries move forward with implementation, the success of the plan could become a key example of how regional cooperation can protect farmers, strengthen economies and improve food security for millions of people.