CHENGETAI ZVAUYA
Zimbabwe’s beef supplies have been hit by the latest outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a development that has pushed beef prices up in recent weeks. This comes at a time when cattle producers are demanding to be paid in foreign currency, resulting in some butcheries failing to restock.
FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease which affects cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer and other animals with divided hooves. The disease was first detected in the country in 1931.
The current outbreak was first reported in Midlands and Matabeleland provinces, but has since spread to Mashonaland Central province (in the Muzarabani area). More than two million cattle are suspected to be at risk.
Lands and Agriculture Minister, Perrance Shiri, told Business Times that the outbreak had been put under control in the affected regions. He said the veterinary department was controlling the situation and had quarantined the affected regions and stopping the transportation of cattle into other provinces.”
Despite government’s efforts, the disease continues to be a menace in the southern part of the country. The outbreak comes at a time when the country is trying to control sharp increases in basic prices, including beef prices which skyrocketed last October by almost 100%. The price of beef currently average $12.20 per kilo.
Repeated outbreaks of FMD have frustrated Zimbabwe’s attempts to revive beef exports, which once included markets in Europe. The disease does not affect humans but poses a threat to cloven-hoofed animals.
Joseph Nyika, the director of the Veterinary Services Department, confirmed the matter but said the situation was under control.
Beef exports used to account for a large chunk of the country’s total exports. The country used to ship meat to Europe under a Beef and Veal protocol. But Zimbabwe was blacklisted due to sanctions on account of the land reform programme, and incessant outbreaks of FMD.
The country has about 6.5 million cattle, producing about 1.5 million calves annually, according to the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture. The European Union requires a country to be FMD free for at least two years before accepting its meat.
