30 January 2026: Outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Botswana
Updated 5 February 2026
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OVS note number: 2026/02
Date: 30 January 2026
Purpose
To inform you that, due to a recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Botswana, consignments from Botswana of fresh bovine meat and animal by-products that have not undergone a form of risk-mitigating treatment should be held.
Background
Botswana has notified WOAH of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in a herd of cattle: WAHIS.
The outbreak is in Zone 6b of Botswana, from which imports of fresh bovine meat are not permitted (due to an earlier outbreak of FMD in 2022) – see entry BW-6 in the list of countries approved to export fresh meat of ungulates to Great Britain. However, imports of fresh meat are currently approved from other parts of Botswana (see entries BW-1 to BW-5 in the above list).
The competent authorities in Botswana have put in place various measures to control the spread of disease, including the suspension of all exports until epidemiological investigations and movement tracings are concluded.
Defra is currently assessing the situation and, if deemed necessary, will implement import restrictions in due course through amendment to the above list.
A separate OVS note will be issued if further restrictions are implemented. In the meantime, any consignments of fresh meat or animal by-products from Botswana that have not undergone a form of risk-mitigating treatment should be held.
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team