Government halts movement of cattle due to disease scare
All movements of all clovenhooved animals should, however be undertaken with caution,” said the department’s spokesperson, Joshua Kwapa.
SEKHUKHUNE – The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, has taken the decision to suspend all movement of cattle in the whole country.
Didiza’s decision is aimed at halting the continued spread of footand-mouth disease (FMD) in the country.
It also means that cattle may not be moved from one property to another for any reason for a period of
21 days, reviewable weekly.
The country is currently experiencing 116 outbreaks of FMD involving farms, feedlots and communal areas in Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Free State. Animals showing suspicious clinical symptoms
(salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping or hoof lesions) must not be moved under any circumstances.
Members of the public must contact their districts’ state veterinary services or their private veterinarians immediately.
This drastic measure is expected to be very short-term to halt the spread of FMD and catch up on
vaccinations.
No cattle may be moved for sales, shows, lobola or any other purpose. Cattle may also not be moved into or out of feedlots except when taken directly to slaughter facilities. All exports are
also halted.
According to the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, the only species currently affected by the
suspension is cattle.
“This will not affect sheep, goats or pigs. Game in auction bomas will not be affected by the movement
suspension at present. This is because buffalo movements are carefully monitored, and animals are
tested for FMD before movement.
All movements of all clovenhooved animals should, however be undertaken with caution,” said the
department’s spokesperson, Joshua Kwapa.
“It is crucially important that biosecurity measures, including deep disinfection with a disinfectant approved to be effective against FMD, such as ACT LA, should be observed when the movement of animals into areas with other
animals do take place. Most new FMD outbreaks are being caused by mechanical transmission through
inanimate objects.”
