Farming bodies welcome lifting of ban on movement of cattle
AGRICULTURAL bodies have welcomed the decision to lift the ban on the movement of cattle but urged farmers to exercise caution when moving cattle as the foot-and-mouth-disease outbreak had not ended.
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development announced yesterday that the nationwide 21-day ban on the movement of cattle that was announced on August 18 would be lifted, except for certain areas in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Free State where the ban would remain.
Minister Thoko Didiza said that the decision was based on work done by the state veterinary services, private vets and animal health technicians over the past 21 days.
“The co-operation of traditional leaders, communities and the police assisted in limiting the spread. It is encouraging that the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces have not had a single case before and during the 21 days. In Gauteng and North West there have been suspect cases around quarantined farms, and in Mpumalanga no new cases have been picked up in the past week.”
Didiza added that the ban would still be imposed in certain areas in KZN.
“In KZN the disease management area will be retained in KwaNongoma, Ulundi, KwaHlabisa, Hluhluwe and Mtubatuba.”
Didiza said the movement of cattle would be allowed only on presentation of certain documents.
“We will continue with surveillance and vaccination in these areas that still have active infections. We call upon farmers and communities to observe the health protocols that have been put in place, and to refrain from illegal movement of cattle/animals.”
Gerhard Schutte, the chief executive of the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO), said it noted with gratitude the minister’s decision to lift the ban.
“The RPO wants to encourage red meat producers to take care that all documentation is put in place, and to act with the necessary seriousness and to be careful with the movement of any animals or the introduction of animals on to their farms. Biosecurity at farm level is crucial. Self-regulation must now also play a big role.
“Status reports indicate that the disease is still spreading and therefore red meat producers must proceed very carefully by limiting the movement of animals to a minimum.”
Marzanne Roets, the national co-ordinator of the National Animal Health Forum (NAHF), also welcomed the lifting of the ban.
“We also want to mention that the containment period bore fruit in that the wool, leather, and skins industries were able to trade with China again. We appeal to role players to respect what is stated in terms of the correct documentation for the movement of livestock.”
Roets added that the NAHF was still concerned about the rapid spread of the disease as seen in the update report received from the director of Animal Health on September 7.
She said the technical group convened by the NAHF to complement the technical team from the department’s Directorate of Animal Health would meet to discuss a draft strategy for the control of foot-and-mouth disease in the short and long term.