Zimbabwe has suspended livestock imports from South Africa after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease there, according to Ministry of Lands, Agric, Fisheries, Water & Rural Development.

Zim imports livestock from SA for breeding and dairy.

Zimbabwe’s herd has been disappearing under the pressure of persistent drought, debilitating bovine diseases and an unprecedented string of cattle thefts.

During 2019 and 2020, the nation lost an estimated total of 30,000 cows, Pilate Moyo of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Department of Veterinary Services once said.

The main cause of the dwindling herd is recurrent drought, which diminishes water supplies and reduces grazing pastures nationwide.

Zwnews