New FMD rules could open export opps for African beef

By Chloe Ryan

- Last updated on GMT

FMD infection is rife amongst wild buffalo in countries in southern Africa
FMD infection is rife amongst wild buffalo in countries in southern Africa

Related tags Africa Beef Livestock

Changes to international regulatory standards for managing foot and mouth disease (FMD), which were adopted at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) world assembly in Paris last month, have been welcomed in Africa.

The new policy means fencing off wildlife from livestock is no longer the only option for farmers wishing to trade beef internationally.

FMD infection is rife amongst wild buffalo in countries in southern Africa, and the OIE had required those who traded beef to physically separate wildlife and livestock through extensive veterinary cordon fencing, which is both prohibitively expensive for many farmers, and stops migratory free ranging wildlife moving in normal patterns.

"We’ve reached a critical turning point in regards to resolving the more than half century-old conflict between international beef trade policy based on FMD control fencing in the southern African context and the migratory needs of free-ranging wildlife in the region and beyond,"​ said Steve Osofsky, executive director of the African animal and human health for the environment and development (AHEAD).

The new Commodity Based Trade standards for world standards in beef products are science-based and focus on the production and processing rather than the disease status of the area in which the animal is reared. "This new flexibility represents a true ‘win-win’ for sustainable and diversified land use and livelihoods,"​ said Osofsky, who added it may aid the opening of new markets for beef within both Africa and Asia.

Related topics Meat

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