…as government partially lifts ban on livestock products imports
By Moroke Sekoboto
THE government has partially lifted its ban on livestock and meat imports from South Africa, allowing red meat, pork and live cloven-hoofed animals back into the country with immediate effect, but only from abattoirs and farms cleared by veterinary authorities on both sides of the border.
Feet, heads, viscera and offal remain banned until further notice.
The decision, contained in the Department of Livestock Services’ Circular No. 5 of 2026, offers relief to butchers, traders and importers. They have been cut off from their main source of supply since the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition imposed the restrictions under Circular No. 3 of 2025, after Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) broke out in South Africa.
However, the reopening is narrower than it first appears. Only establishments approved for export by South Africa and separately recognised by Lesotho qualify, which leaves informal and small-scale cross-border livestock trade shut.
The move comes as Lesotho battles its own outbreak. The country recorded its first FMD case at a cattle post in Mahlasela, Butha-Buthe, on 18 February 2026. The disease has since spread to Leribe, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Qacha’s Nek, Berea and Mohale’s Hoek, and Prime Minister Sam Matekane declared it a national disaster in March.
Last month, Agriculture Minister Selibe Mochoboroane said Lesotho had struggled to get South Africa to the negotiating table. He said the two countries had finally agreed that their animal health experts would meet on 1 September to finalise trade regulations.
The Director General of Veterinary Services, Relebohile Lepheana, said the original restrictions targeted the commodities most likely to introduce and spread FMD: live cloven-hoofed animals, red meat and pork.
Dr Lepheana said that after the disease reached Lesotho in February, veterinary authorities reviewed the situation and revised the import requirements.
She said Lesotho, as a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), would apply “risk-based and scientifically justified” sanitary measures in line with the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
Under the new rules, live cloven-hoofed animals may only be imported from FMD compartments approved by South Africa’s veterinary authority and recognised by Lesotho’s. These farms must meet requirements on FMD biosecurity, animal identification and traceability, surveillance, veterinary supervision, movement controls, disease reporting and laboratory testing.
Red meat and pork may only come from abattoirs approved by South Africa for export and specifically approved by Lesotho. These abattoirs must comply with requirements including official veterinary inspection and certification, traceability, verification of the animals’ origin, FMD control measures, and segregation, handling and processing standards.
Dr Lepheana said the Lesotho Veterinary Authority reserved the right to audit, inspect and verify suppliers at any time to confirm continued compliance.
The conditions for each consignment will be set out in its import permit, and the burden of compliance falls squarely on importers.
“Importers shall ensure that the commodity, country and establishment of origin, compartment, veterinary certification and all supporting documentation fully comply with the conditions prescribed by the Lesotho Veterinary Authority,” Dr Lepheana said.
She warned that illegal imports, misrepresented consignments, imports from unapproved establishments and failure to meet veterinary requirements were offences under the Stock Diseases Proclamation No. 10 of 1896 and the Importation and Exportation Act of 1952, as amended in 1984.
“Non-compliant consignments may be refused entry, detained, returned, seized, destroyed or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the applicable laws and veterinary requirements. Offenders may also be subject to prosecution,” she said.
