Nairobi, Kenya — May 9, 2026: The Livestock Association of Kenya has called on the Kenyan government to immediately suspend beef imports from South Africa following a sharp rise in Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in the southern African nation.
The association warned that continued imports could expose Kenya’s livestock industry to the highly contagious viral disease, which affects cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, threatening farmers’ livelihoods and the country’s meat and dairy sectors.
The latest developments come amid growing concern over livestock disease management across Africa.
South Africa Declares FMD a National Disaster
South Africa recently declared the outbreak a national disaster after reporting nearly 1,000 cases of Foot and Mouth Disease across multiple provinces, according to updates from the South African Department of Agriculture and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
The Livestock Association of Kenya is now urging the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Kenya and the State Department for Livestock Development to impose an immediate ban on all South African beef imports until authorities fully contain the outbreak.
According to the association, even processed beef products could pose risks if handling, storage, or transportation safety measures fail.
Concerns Over Veterinary Oversight
The lobby group also expressed concern that the scale of the outbreak could place significant pressure on South Africa’s veterinary and export inspection systems.
It argued that strained veterinary services may weaken inspection protocols and certification processes used to clear meat products for international markets.
International bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have previously stressed the importance of strict biosecurity measures in controlling transboundary animal diseases.
Zambia and China Already Suspend Imports
The association noted that countries including Zambia and China have already suspended imports of South African beef products as a precautionary measure.
Trade restrictions linked to FMD outbreaks are common globally, particularly under sanitary guidelines established by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Calls for Tighter Border Inspections
The association further urged Kenyan authorities to strengthen inspections at all entry points, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, to prevent potentially contaminated animal products from entering the country.
Kenya’s livestock sector remains a major contributor to the national economy, with agencies such as the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) frequently warning about the economic risks associated with livestock disease outbreaks.
Push to Support Local Farmers
At the same time, the association called on the government to reduce reliance on imported beef and invest more heavily in local livestock production.
It urged authorities to create more opportunities for local farmers, cooperatives, and youth-led agribusiness ventures, arguing that stronger domestic production would improve food security and reduce exposure to international disease outbreaks.
The lobby group warned that an FMD outbreak in Kenya could severely disrupt livestock trade, damage export markets, and negatively affect the country’s dairy and meat industries.
