Implementation of non-geographic approaches to beef trade in the SADC region

Abstract

Access to international and regional markets for beef has been an on-going problem for southern African countries for many decades because the South African Territories (SAT) serotypes of foot and mouth disease (FMD) viruses are endemic to wildlife populations in the southern African region. This makes establishment of FMD-free zones, essential for accessing high-value beef markets difficult, expensive and impractical for many locations in southern Africa. For that reason commercialization of livestock production in the region has been inhibited. The creation of FMD-free zones which requires use of artificial or natural boundaries and in southern Africa it has been the construction of veterinary cordon fences (VCFs) to separate animal populations of different FMD status which has proven successful in some countries (such as Botswana, Namibia & South Africa) but not in others for a variety of reasons, i.e. the current model has only been possible for a small proportion of cattle producers in southern Africa. This means that apart from the damaging effects that some VCFs have had or have on the environment generally and wildlife conservation in particular, only roughly 15% of the cattle population in the mainland countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are raised in FMD-free zones. For balanced rural development of the SADC Region, where cattle are culturally and economically vital to the indigenous inhabitants and wildlife conservation and associated economic activities are important contributors to regional gross domestic product, it is essential to improve access to regional and international markets for beef and other animal products produced in locations outside FMD-free zones. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has introduced a partially non-geographic FMD standard for trade in deboned beef (viz. Terrestrial Animal Health Code Article 8.8.22) that potentially overcomes this problem; however, Article 8.8.22 contains at least one killer requirement that makes its implementation impossible. The issues associated with this problem have been identified in this study and possible solutions proposed. An attempt was made to gauge acceptance by SADC Member States but the responses to the questionnaire used were inadequate to reach a reliable conclusion in this respect. It was concluded that taking technical, logistical and financial constraints into account, non-geographic approaches represent the best opportunity that SADC countries have of expanding access to regional and international markets. Moreover, it is suggested that non-geographic approaches could be integrated into the Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health (SMP-AH) Programme once adopted by SADC, thereby strengthening the capacity of the Region s competent authorities. SMP-AH Programme is at a proposal stage and has not been officially launched in SADC. The SMP AH Programme proposes to harmonize activities of animal health authorities of SADC Member States in respect of selected diseases that impact trade and/or human health.