thereby ensuring better traceability of animals vital for both disease control and livestock trading purposes. 

## RECOMMENDATION 

The DVS should expedite the implementation of Botswana Animal Information and Traceability System in the entire country to complement the current branding system and ensure better livestock traceability and identification. 

## 4.2.7 MAINTENANCE OF CORDON FENCES 

The Department of Veterinary Services Fence Strategy prescribes the working guidelines for management and supervision of veterinary disease control infrastructure, namely; cordon fences, camps, quarantines, gates and check points. Routine maintenance of cordon fences mainly entails erection of fallen fences and repairs of damaged fence. According to the fence strategy, regular maintenance should be carried out to ensure that fences at all times provide an effective barrier to unwanted and uncontrolled animal movements which are a key risk factor in the spread of the FMD. 

During tour of the fences at the time of audit, it was observed that the DVS had not adequately maintained cordon fences in some areas in the FMD vaccinated zones. For instance, following a tour of the Samochima Fence in Ngamiland (Zone 2b) on the 25 November 2014, it was observed that fences were substantially damaged by elephants with complete fence fall observed particularly along the Okavango Delta. Pictures in figure 6 and 7 below illustrate the observed fence damages by elephants along the Samochima Fence. It is worth noting from the pictures in figure 6 and 7  that, cattle could be observed freely crossing into the delta, thus increasing the risk of FMD infection from buffaloes which also grazed inside the delta. 

