The government is preparing to issue new directives aimed at controlling the movement of cloven-hoofed livestock across the country
Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers
The government is preparing to issue new directives aimed at controlling the movement of cloven-hoofed livestock across the country, in response to the recent foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
South Africa has been battling FMD for several months, prompting key trading partners including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and China to suspend imports of meat and related animal products from the country.
Earlier this week, one of the major feedlot groups in South Africa, Karan Beef, confirmed a case of FMD at its feedlot in Heidelberg, Gauteng, prompting a temporary halt on purchases.
IOL previously reported Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, announced that the government has placed an urgent order for R72 million worth of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to fight the disease with the vaccine set to arrive in the country by the second week of June.
According to reports, the upcoming directives will require all livestock movements to be supervised and to comply strictly with biosecurity measures. Only animals meeting these standards will be permitted to move, in a bid to contain the spread of the disease.
These measures are expected to be officially gazetted soon, giving them legal force and reinforcing efforts to protect both commercial and small-scale farmers.
"Foot and Mouth has been with us since 2016 and we've seen provinces come in and out of foot and mouth status. It all comes down to adhering to the biosecurity regulations that govern the movement of animals and the auctioning of animals.
"It again stresses why we need a track and trace system in South Africa to govern that but we have also put aside R72 million. We've procured vaccines from the Botswana Vaccine Institute." Steenhuisen.
The minister underscored the importance of multi-agency cooperation in enforcing the regulations.
"We will need cooperation from other departments, Saps need to help us with the movement of vehicles, national traffic, municipal traffic and the border management agency.
"All need to assist us in ensuring that we stop the unlawful movement of animals because that's how it spreads. I have now published a set of stringent regulations it's being gazetted in the next few days and we will take strong actions against those who break the law," he added.
Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), emphasised the growing urgency of investment in biosecurity, noting a rise in disease outbreaks across the country.
"We do need to invest a lot in biosecurity and by biosecurity I'm not just talking about animal health but plant health as well we have to pit money. The reality is that with climate change and these extreme weather conditions, we are beginning to see more outbreaks across the country.
"And if as a country we are in this journey where we say we want to export more to the world, especially in red meat we may have to think about investing more in animal health," he said.
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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