Zambia has suspended the issuance of livestock import permits from South Africa following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in that country, according to an official statement issued in Lusaka on 14 February 2026.
Benny Munyama, Principal Public Relations Officer at Zambia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, confirmed that the Department of Veterinary Services has halted the importation of cloven hoofed animals from South Africa. The suspension extends to animal feed, trophies, skins, hides and hooves derived from susceptible species. The decision also covers the transit of live cloven hoofed animals through Zambian territory, and all previously issued permits have been revoked with immediate effect.
The ministry stated that import permits for animal products may only be considered where strict mitigation measures are implemented in line with the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of 2025 issued by the WOAH, the World Organisation for Animal Health, which sets internationally recognised standards for the prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases.
Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection affecting cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. While it does not generally pose a direct threat to human health, it can have significant economic consequences owing to livestock losses and trade restrictions. According to the FAO, outbreaks can undermine food security and rural livelihoods, particularly in regions where livestock production forms a central component of household income and cross border commerce.
Southern Africa has experienced periodic outbreaks of the disease over several decades, with responses coordinated through national veterinary authorities and regional bodies such as SADC. Regional cooperation frameworks emphasise surveillance, information sharing and harmonised sanitary measures in recognition of the interconnected character of agricultural markets.
Zambia’s action reflects established sanitary and phytosanitary provisions that permit states to introduce temporary restrictions in response to animal health risks, consistent with international norms under the WTO. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock indicated that the suspension will be reviewed in light of developments in South Africa’s containment efforts and epidemiological assessments.
Livestock production remains central to rural economies across southern Africa, contributing to employment, nutrition and social stability. Within continental integration initiatives such as the AfCFTA, safeguarding animal health is widely regarded as integral to sustainable intra African trade expansion. Policy measures adopted during outbreaks therefore sit at the intersection of public health governance, economic resilience and regional solidarity.
South African authorities have historically applied zoning, movement controls and vaccination strategies in accordance with WOAH standards to manage outbreaks. The trajectory of the present outbreak and the effectiveness of containment measures are likely to determine the duration of Zambia’s suspension.
Zambian officials have stated that further updates will be provided as the situation evolves. The current measures are presented as precautionary and grounded in internationally recognised animal health protocols and regional cooperation principles.
