Abstract:
Focusing on the case of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in southern Africa – and specifi
cally Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe – this paper explores the
economic, social and political trade-offs arising from different scenarios for gaining
market access and managing and controlling FMD in support of beef production
in southern Africa. A central question is: does the current approach, premised on
the ability to separate a ‘disease free’ commercial sector from areas at high risk of
FMD outbreaks because of the presence or proximity of wildlife (African buffalo
particularly) through strictly enforced protection (formerly known as ‘buffer’) zones
and movement control, make sense given new contexts and challenges? Are there
other alternatives that benefi t a wider group of producers, ensure food-safe trade,
and are easier to implement, yet maintain access to important export markets and
so foreign exchange revenues? Following an examination of the new contexts of disease
dynamics and livestock trade in southern Africa, the paper explores a series of
scenarios for market access including: trade with the European Union; direct exports
to large retailers; export to emerging markets, particularly Asia; regional trade in
southern Africa and domestic urban and rural markets. Given this assessment, the
paper then asks: what makes most sense for the control and management of FMD
in southern Africa?
