THE outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has eased to the extent that the southern African state of botswana has partly lifted a ban on exports of beef and related products to the European Union, reports Blooomberg.
Exports will be allowed from cattle bred in seven of the country’s 19 agricultural zones, with some areas closest to where an outbreak was detected remaining under suspension, said the Ministry of Agriculture.
The decision comes after the government announced in September it would cull more than 10,000 cattle in the affected region, while also quarantining and vaccinating others to contain the disease.
Earlier this month, the Agriculture Ministry eased movement restrictions on cattle around the country, stating that its containment efforts were working.
A major supplier of beef to the EU, cattle exports are a key source of foreign currency for Botswana, after minerals and tourism.
