Following a re-assessment of the FMD situation in zone 6 and zone 7, the veterinary movement protocol for the two zones has been revised as follows:

1.      Movement out of Zone 6 and 7

Movement of cloven-hoofed animals, their fresh products and any other FMD risk material such as crop residues intended for use in livestock is not allowed out of zones 6, 3c and 7. Thatching grass, sand, firewood and crop residues not intended for use in livestock from the surveillance and rest of zone 6 and 3c is allowed without a permit. However, movement of matured meat from Francistown BMC abattoir is allowed out of zone 6 in sealed containers and under a permit.

2.      Movement into Zones 6 and 7

Movement of cloven-hoofed animals from other zones into Zone 6 and zone 7 is allowed under a Livestock Movement Permit in sealed vehicles only for direct slaughter in Francistown, Tonota, Tutume, Selebi-Phikwe and Mmadinare Council abattoirs. Butchery operators are advised to arrange for quotas with management of the respective abattoirs to avoid overcrowding of cattle.

Movement of over 20 kg fresh meat from cloven-hoofed animals intended for commercial purposes into zones 6 and 7 is allowed under a permit, in sealed containers and accompanied by a Public Health Certificate. The animals must have been slaughtered in a facility licensed to distribute meat to other areas in Botswana and not at slaughter slabs.

Movement of fresh meat and other products from cloven-hoofed animals into zones 6 and 7 for own use is allowed without a permit.

3.      Movement within Zones 6, 3c and 7

Movement of meat from the Francistown BMC abattoir is allowed within zone 6 and to zone 3c without a permit.

Movement of all cloven-hoofed animals within zone 6 and zone 7 is not allowed. Cloven-hoofed animals that have crossed into the surveillance or red zone from the Rest of zone 6 must not be returned. Owner should care for the animals in their new zone of residence. Animals that have escaped from the surveillance zone into the Rest of zone 6 must immediately be returned to the surveillance zone and the in-contact animals monitored for signs of FMD for 28 days. Animals that have escaped from the red zone must also be immediately returned and the in-contacts monitored for signs of FMD for 28 days.

Animals that escape from zone 6 must immediately be returned to zone 6 and the in-contacts monitored for signs of FMD for 28 days. Animals that escape into zone 6 cannot be returned but must be cared for by the owner in zone 6.

Movement of fresh cloven-hoofed animal products and other FMD risk material such as thatching grass, crop residues, are only allowed to move without a permit from the Rest of Zone 6 to the Surveillance and Red Zone but not the reverse, that is, movement is not allowed from the red or surveillance zones.

Movement of fresh meat derived from non cloven-hoofed animals (including game) is allowed under a permit. Permits can only be issued when the feet are still attached to the meat parts.

4.      Emergency Slaughter in zone 6 and 7

Slaughter of cloven hoofed animals originating within zone 6 and 7 is still not allowed except for emergency slaughter for social occasions. This exception can only be considered on the recommendation of the local tribal authorities and shall be under the supervision of the veterinary officials who shall clinically inspect the animals before slaughter and issue a permit for the meat. All the meat shall not be allowed to leave the place of the event unless it is thoroughly cooked.

5.      Movement through zone 6 and 7

Movement of fresh cloven-hoofed animal products through zone 6 and 7 is not allowed except under a permit in a sealed vehicle.