MoA awaits WOAH greenlight following FMD outbreak
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is waiting for a response from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding restocking livestock in Zone 6b after the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in August 2022.
FMD is a severe and highly contagious viral disease impacting livestock significantly, as per WOAH.
The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. FMD was only detected in the villages north of Bisoli Ranch, namely Jackalas 1, Ramokgwebana, Tsamaya, Tshesebe, Butale, Senyawe, Siviya and Mabuzane.
Other villages within the zone include Matsiloje and Matshelagabedi extension areas, but cattle in these villages were found to be FMD-free.
In September 2022, government decided to depopulate the area and compensate farmers for approximately 10,000 FMD-infected culled livestock in Zone 6b. Initially, MoA set a compensation fee of P2,840 per beast, irrespective of the cattle breed, but later increased it to P3,000 after farmers complained that the compensation was too low. In addition, the bulk of the proceeds from the meat sales will go to the farmers, with the government retaining only the money used for transporting cattle from the affected areas to the abattoir in Maun.
“The MoA is expecting to get a response from WOAH before the end of March whether it (WOAH) has approved the ministry’s request to start the restocking exercise in Zone 6b,” public relations Officer of MoA in the North East District, Kelebogile Mosarwe stated.
“If WOAH gives us the green light to begin the restocking exercise, we will do so without fail.” The primary objective of WOAH is to control epizootic diseases and prevent their spread.
Additional objectives include sharing transparent, scientific information, promoting international solidarity, ensuring sanitary safety, promoting Veterinary Services, ensuring food safety, and advocating for animal welfare. WOAH maintains permanent relations with 45 other international and regional organisations and has regional and sub-regional offices on every continent.