The apparent increasing occurrence of Trans-boundary animal diseases (TADs) in SADC, particularly foot and mouth disease (FMD) has significantly hampered intra- and inter-regional trade in live cattle and beef. The recent surge of FMD outbreaks (2001-2003) which occurred in Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe posed a high risk of spreading to the rest of the SADC countries.

Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia have European Union (EU) approved cattle slaughter facilities for the EU export market. The continued presence of FMD in any SADC country potentially jeopardizes access to this lucrative market. The FMD situation in Zimbabwe has already led to the suspension of beef exports to the EU.

The potential economic threat to the region posed by FMD led to the launch of a regional appeal to stop the spread of the disease in the region. The SADC Foot and Mouth disease Programme (SFMDP) was formulated to respond to this appeal. The project complements the European Commision’s development and cooperation goals by encouraging integration into the world economy of those states with comparative advantage to export beef and enables the poor to utilize livestock as a source of their livelihood.