FAO / TAD Scientific Contract No. SFSD/040/2015Scientific Contract • June 3rd, 2016
Foot and mouth disease (FMD), is internationally recognized as a constraint to production and trade in cloven-hoofed livestock and their products and has been problematic in this respect in Zimbabwe since 1931. However, the FMD situation has worsened in recent years, particularly since about 2000. In line with experiences in other parts of southern Africa, the direct effects of the disease in extensive systems is limited, the disease being mostly mild and sometimes unapparent. In contrast, the direct effects on intensively farmed livestock, such as dairy cattle and piggeries, can be profound, as are the indirect effects in terms of access to both local and foreign markets. In 2001 Zimbabwe lost access to beef markets of the European Union as a consequence of its deteriorating FMD situation. That, combined with structural changes to farm ownership led to declines in productivity and competitiveness of the beef sector. In spite of the fact that we have an Economic Partnership Agreement (
