## EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

FMD as a contagious disease has a major impact on the beef industry in Botswana as its outbreaks prevent the country from gaining access to major beef markets such as the European Union (EU). The outbreaks has proven to be costly to the Government, as they require radical steps to be taken to control and eradicate the disease and to prevent further outbreaks. For instance, during the period 2009 to 2014, the Government of Botswana spent P127 211 668 on the control of FMD. 

The Government of Botswana therefore charged the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) with the responsibility of promoting sustainable livestock industry through the control of animal diseases including FMD. 

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) therefore carried out a performance audit on the Control of FMD to assess whether the Department’s goal of controlling FMD was being achieved. The significant observations made during the audit pertaining to the Department’s planning in FMD control; FMD outbreak risk mitigation; strengthening of extension services as well as collaboration of the Department with key stakeholders are discussed hereunder; 

## SUMMARRY OF KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

## 1. STRATEGIC PLANNING 

The DVS had not developed a comprehensive long-term departmental strategic plan that could provide a clear direction for the Department’s FMD control efforts, identifying objectives and strategies to accomplish those objectives as well as outlining measurable goals supported with realistic, quantifiable benchmarks for monitoring and evaluating the department’s overall performance in the long term. Additionally, the DVS had not adequately planned (Action Plan) for implementation of important interventions and resolutions pertaining to Foot and Mouth Disease Control, 

