Malawi Government has with immediate effect, banned importation of meat and other meat products from South Africa.

This follows confirmed reports of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that has hit SA and other neighbouring countries.

This has been confirmed in a statement signed by Grey Nyandule Phiri, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development made available to faceofmalawi.

According to Phiri, the government is currently in regular consultation with veterinary authorities within the region and will continue to update the public and other stakeholders on any changes in the status from time to time.

The director of animal health & livestock development at the ministry, Patrick Chikungwa said the ban extends to in-transit movement of all cloven-hooved animals that include cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs among others.

The government says it has done so in order to protect the health of Malawians and also to protect the country’s herd in conformity with the Control and Animal Diseases Act (Cap 66:22) and the World Animal Health Organisation