Dennis Ndlovu | Zim GBC News
The Chief Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Pious Makaya, has urged farmers to view veterinary authorities as partners in trade facilitation rather than enforcers, as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to control livestock diseases of economic importance.
Speaking during the Livestock Conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Makaya said misconceptions about veterinary interventions continue to hinder progress in the livestock sector.
“Some people believe veterinary controls are meant to kill or quarantine animals, but our role is to facilitate trade by ensuring that diseases are controlled,” he said.
Makaya explained that the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) focuses on preventing and managing diseases that threaten both animal health and market access. He noted that no buyer would purchase livestock affected by serious conditions, underscoring the direct link between disease control and economic viability.
He highlighted that government-supported vaccination programmes remain central to disease control efforts, with the state procuring vaccines and coordinating nationwide inoculation campaigns. Diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Newcastle disease, and others of economic significance are prioritised.
Makaya also stressed the importance of animal welfare, referencing the implementation of ethical standards under national frameworks such as the National Animal Research Ethics Committee (NARAC), which guides humane treatment in research and livestock handling.
On the regional front, he raised concern over the spread of highly virulent livestock diseases in neighbouring countries, particularly the presence of new strains in Mozambique and Zambia. While Zimbabwe’s infection levels remain comparatively low, he warned of heightened risk due to cross-border transmission.
“We are better positioned than some countries in the region, but the threat remains high. We must remain vigilant,” he said.
Makaya revealed that suspected cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease have recently been reported in parts of the country, though confirmation is pending laboratory results. He cautioned against premature conclusions, emphasizing that official declarations are only made after scientific verification.
To contain potential outbreaks, the government has implemented strict control measures, including livestock movement restrictions, roadblocks, and targeted vaccination campaigns in high-risk zones.
He outlined Zimbabwe’s disease management strategy, which includes zoning systems such as infected zones, vaccination zones, and surveillance zones to monitor and contain outbreaks while preserving trade opportunities.
Illegal livestock movement was identified as a major risk factor, prompting the formation of joint enforcement teams involving veterinary services, police, and local authorities.
Makaya acknowledged past enforcement gaps but warned that stricter compliance measures will now be applied.
“We will enforce legislation more rigorously because failure to do so threatens the national economy,” he said.
Makaya also addressed the ongoing challenge of wildlife-livestock interaction, particularly the role of buffalo in spreading diseases like FMD. While acknowledging buffalo as a valuable tourism asset, he said Zimbabwe must adopt strategies to coexist with wildlife while safeguarding livestock.
Among the proposed solutions are strengthened fencing systems, improved biosecurity measures, and the concept of compartmentalisation where farms that meet strict health and safety standards can trade independently of broader national disease status.
“This means even if there are outbreaks elsewhere, certified farms can prove their products are disease-free and continue exporting,” he explained.
Makaya stressed that controlling livestock diseases is not only a veterinary responsibility but a shared national priority critical to safeguarding Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy and expanding global market access.
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