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Botswana’s Maize Ban Sparks Trade Tensions with South Africa

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The recent outbreak of Goss’s bacterial wilt in South Africa has triggered a trade dispute with Botswana, which has imposed a blanket ban on imports of several South African agricultural products, including maize. The move has raised concerns among South African agricultural stakeholders, particularly given the crucial role maize plays in regional food security.

Botswana’s Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, citing concerns over the spread of Goss’s wilt and bud rot of palms, issued a directive suspending imports of a wide range of products, including maize, sorghum, sugarcane, and various fruits. This decision, while aimed at protecting Botswana’s agricultural sector, has been met with strong opposition from South African authorities.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has described the ban as “overly cautious,” arguing that Goss’s wilt, a bacterial disease primarily affecting maize, does not pose a significant risk through the trade of processed grains intended for human and animal consumption. He emphasized that South Africa has diligently fulfilled its obligations under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) by notifying trading partners and the IPPC of the disease outbreaks.

The South African Department of Agriculture has been proactive in addressing the outbreaks. Delimiting surveys are underway to determine the extent of the spread of Goss’s wilt, which has been detected in several provinces, including the Free State, North West, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape. The department is also actively researching the disease and implementing control measures, such as promoting the use of resistant maize hybrids and crop rotation.

While the immediate impact of the ban on South Africa’s maize exports to Botswana might be limited, given that a significant portion of this year’s exports have already been shipped, the long-term implications remain a concern. South Africa and Zambia are the primary maize exporters in the Southern African region. With Zambia experiencing a poor harvest this year, Botswana’s reliance on South African maize imports is crucial.

Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA, expressed concern over Botswana’s alternative import options, highlighting the limited availability of maize from other sources within the region. He emphasized the importance of a swift resolution to this trade dispute, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue and a collaborative approach to addressing phytosanitary concerns.

Minister Steenhuisen has called for an urgent bilateral meeting with Botswanan officials to discuss the matter and find a mutually agreeable solution. He stressed that the department is committed to maintaining open lines of communication and resolving this issue through constructive dialogue and scientific evidence.

This trade dispute underscores the importance of regional cooperation and the need for robust phytosanitary protocols to facilitate safe and efficient trade in agricultural products within the Southern African region.