April 24, 2006

Experts check up on Zimbabwe beef industry as a prelude to exports

Beef experts from the European Union (EU) and Asia would be visiting Zimbabwe in June to inspect beef supplies before approving it for export to their respective regions, Principal Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Stuart Hargreaves, said.

Experts would look at measures taken to eradicate such cattle diseases as foot and mouth and the country's readiness to resume exports.

Whether exports would go ahead would depend on assessments by the team, said Dr Hargreaves.

The team would also hold talks with the Government and examine strategies in curbing livestock disease outbreaks, said Dr Hargreaves.

The opportunity allows Zimbabwe to resume beef exports to the EU while making forays into new markets in Asia.

Beef exports were suspended in August 2001 after the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Since then, Zimbabwe has spent billions of dollars buying livestock drugs to eradicate outbreaks around the country, he said.

Dr Hargreaves said the Government was making significant progress in controlling foot and mouth disease, mainly through controlling the illegal movement of cattle.

Before the ban, the African nation had an annual quota of 9 100 tonnes to its biggest market, the European Union.

The country is now targeting markets in China, Malaysia, Libya, Iran and some Southern African Development Community nations.