Agriculture Department clarifies stance on foot-and-mouth outbreak
A partial ban on livestock movement has been in place since the initial outbreak last year
IN response to recent reports that a five-year ban has been placed on the movement of livestock in the King Cetshwayo, uMkhanyakude and Zululand districts, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has clarified its stance.
While prohibition on the movement of livestock has been in place since last year following the May 2021 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), there is no five-year ban in place.
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Speaking at last week’s vaccination roll-out in Hlabisa, Agriculture MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi said government would conduct random roadblocks in all affected areas to ensure communities comply with the movement prohibition already in place.
She expressed concern about the persistent movement of livestock despite the prohibition.
‘We are pleading with farmers and cattle owners to refrain from transporting cattle, for whatever reason, because this leads to the spread of the disease. We also urge people to stop moving livestock at night,’ she said.
Sithole-Moloi called upon law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with the movement ban.
‘The government understands the impact the ban will have on the livelihoods of stock owners, but insists that curbing the spread should take priority,’ said Sithole-Moloi.
More than 1 600 cattle were earmarked for vaccination, with half receiving so far.
Sithole-Moloi also decried stock theft, which is prevalent in the area, saying it frustrates the efforts to stop the spread of the disease.
Moreover, the customary payment of lobola, using livestock during marriage negotiations, is also responsible for spreading the disease, according to Sithole-Moloi.
Bongani Gina, a local stock owner, said the vaccination campaign has brought much-needed support for the rural communities.
‘The action taken by the government is most welcome. We have been extremely worried about this disease, and the roll-out of vaccinations will assist us a great deal,’ said Gina.
He said the response by livestock farmers to a call by the local veterinarians, who alerted the farmers about the disease, should be applauded.
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