Mbabane- The Government of Eswatini has intensified efforts to protect Eswatini’s livestock industry from future Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks through a E15 million rehabilitation programme targeting the country’s ageing national cordon fence.The investment comes as Eswatini moves closer to easing restrictions imposed during the FMD outbreak, with authorities now shifting focus from emergency response to long-term disease prevention and strengthening biosecurity systems.
Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka announced on Monday that the rehabilitation project willcover 26 kilometres of the national cordon fence along the country’s borders, describing the infrastructure as a critical barrier against the introduction of transboundary animal diseases.
The cordon fence plays a key role in controlling livestock movement, particularly in preventing contact between domestic cattle and potentially infected animals from neighbouring countries.
“Government has allocated E15 million for the rehabilitation of the cordon fence because prevention remains the best defence against diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease,” Tshawuka said.
The announcement comes as the country records significant progress in controlling FMD, with no active cases currently reported and more than 82 percent of the national cattle herd vaccinated.
According to Tshawuka, 453,629 cattle out of an estimated national herd of 550,000 have received FMD vaccinations, while 329,371 animals have received a second dose.
Government has administered approximately 783,000 vaccine doses since the outbreak response began, as some cattle required multiple vaccinations to achieve adequate protection.
The minister said the country had surpassed the herd immunity threshold, which specialists estimate is reached when between 60 and 80 percent of a population is vaccinated.
However, he cautioned that the progress achieved could easily be reversed if surveillance and preventive measures are relaxed.
“As much as we have reached a critical mass, we cannot afford to become complacent. Disease surveillance and biosecurity must continue,” Tshawuka said.
The strengthening of the cordon fence is expected to complement other measures being implemented, including livestock movement controls, vehicle spraying and veterinary surveillance.
Government is also preparing to gradually relax some restrictions introduced during the outbreak. Tshawuka said some veterinary checkpoints will be converted from wet checkpoints to dry checkpoints, while others will eventually be removed.
Meanwhile, Eswatini is working towards regaining its international livestock trade status after losing access to some markets due to FMD outbreaks.
A technical team from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recently assessed the country’s disease control programme and advised Eswatini on steps required to restore its international disease status.
Tshawuka said WOAH had recommended the adoption of a zoning approach, which could allow disease-free areas to resume trade while affected zones continue implementing control measures.
He said France had also committed 50,000 vaccine doses to support Eswatini’s FMD prevention efforts, while regional cooperation among SADC countries continues to strengthen preparedness against future outbreaks.
The minister said the combined efforts in vaccination, infrastructure investment and regional collaboration would be critical in protecting the livestock sector, which remains an important contributor to rural livelihoods and food security.
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