The Botswana beef sector, a cornerstone of our national economy and cultural heritage, is facing an existential crisis. Agriculture is the second-largest employer in Botswana, serving as the backbone for the livelihoods of at least 15-19% of our population. When we threaten this sector, we are not just impacting a few businesses; we are jeopardizing the economic survival of hundreds of thousands of Batswana.

While we recognize the need for responsible disease management to protect our national herd, the government's current policy of blanket, non-targeted movement and slaughter restrictions is causing disproportionate and unnecessary economic devastation. These broad-brush policies are punishing productive, biosecure farms that are not affected by disease, effectively paralyzing the industry and threatening the livelihoods of countless families.

Our Urgent Demands for a Rationalized Approach
We, the undersigned, call upon the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture to modernize its disease management strategy immediately by moving away from blanket closures:

Recognize Biosecure Fenced Farms as Containment Units: Many farmers have invested in high-quality perimeter fencing to ensure livestock security and biosafety. We demand that the government officially recognize and audit these secure, fenced farms as individual containment units. Instead of applying blanket closures to entire areas, veterinary authorities should allow continued movement, slaughter, and marketing for these verified, low-risk operations and other communal farms not within close proximity to the outbreak.
Decentralize Local Processing for Food Security: It is time to re-open local slaughter facilities. In areas where no active disease outbreaks have been detected, farmers must be empowered to facilitate local slaughter for local consumption immediately. This will restore the local meat supply, lower prices for consumers, and allow small-scale, healthy operations to resume their vital role in our food security.
Facilitate Direct International Marketing: Our farmers must be allowed to engage in direct marketing to international markets. By removing bureaucratic bottlenecks, producers can secure better returns, build direct relationships with global buyers, and capture the true value of our high-quality beef, rather than being trapped by restrictive, outdated trade frameworks.
Shift to Risk-Based Auditing: We demand an end to the "guilt by geography" approach. The government must transition to a risk-based management system that rewards farmers for high standards of biosecurity and infrastructure, rather than penalizing them for their location.
Why This Matters
The current blanket policies are stifling our productive farmers. By treating every farm within a broad area as "high risk" regardless of its actual health status, the government is:

Destroying Economic Value: Forcing farmers to hold onto healthy, market-ready cattle, leading to mounting debt, overgrazing, and financial ruin.
Ignoring Effective Infrastructure: Failing to leverage existing private fencing that already acts as a robust barrier to disease.
Crippling the National Economy: Obstructing the ability of efficient, biosecure farms to contribute to our national GDP and generate critical foreign income.

Join the Call

The time for blanket restrictions that destroy livelihoods is over. It is time for the government to adopt an evidence-based, professional, and equitable approach to disease control—one that supports our farmers instead of crushing them.

We urge all Batswana and international supporters to stand with us. By signing this petition, you are advocating for the rights of our farmers, the restoration of our local food security, and a sustainable, thriving future for Botswana’s beef industry.

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