Dennis Ndlovu | Zim GBC News<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome people believe veterinary controls are meant to kill or quarantine animals, but our role is to facilitate trade by ensuring that diseases are controlled,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s infection levels remain comparatively low, he warned of heightened risk due to cross-border transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are better positioned than some countries in the region, but the threat remains high. We must remain vigilant,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To contain potential outbreaks, the government has implemented strict control measures, including livestock movement restrictions, roadblocks, and targeted vaccination campaigns in high-risk zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He outlined Zimbabwe\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Illegal livestock movement was identified as a major risk factor, prompting the formation of joint enforcement teams involving veterinary services, police, and local authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Makaya acknowledged past enforcement gaps but warned that stricter compliance measures will now be applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will enforce legislation more rigorously because failure to do so threatens the national economy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis means even if there are outbreaks elsewhere, certified farms can prove their products are disease-free and continue exporting,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Makaya stressed that controlling livestock diseases is not only a veterinary responsibility but a shared national priority critical to safeguarding Zimbabwe\u2019s agricultural economy and expanding global market access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow Zim GBC News on Social Media:
\u00b7 X (Twitter): @ZimGbc
\u00b7 Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
\u00b7 TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01
\u00b7 Facebook: Zim GBC News
\u00b7 YouTube: Zim GBC News<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For in-depth coverage, visit our website:
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective \u00a9\ufe0f2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12796"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12797,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12796\/revisions\/12797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}