Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, says maximum cooperation from all stakeholders in the sector is necessary to control the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important that everyone commits and respects all imposed control measures and collectively find a sustainable solution,\u201d Didiza said.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued on Monday, Didiza said the country is currently battling 56 outbreak cases of FMD, involving farms and communal areas in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West and Gauteng.<\/p>\n
She called on all South African citizens to stop the illegal movement of animals out of FMD affected areas, noting that the outbreaks currently troubling South Africa are caused by illegal movements of animals out of the FMD controlled zones in Limpopo. <\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the fact that South Africa lost its OIE [World Organisation for Animal Health] recognised FMD-free zone status in 2019, the permanent movement restrictions remain in place in the FMD protection zones in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, and it is illegal to move cloven-hoofed animals and their products out of the FMD protection zone without permission from the state veterinary services,\u201d Didiza said. <\/p>\n
Man arrested for bringing goats into FMD-free zone<\/p>\n
Didiza commended the arrest of a 49-year old man in Masisi, Limpopo, for bringing goats from the FMD controlled zone into the free zone.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother case, where animals were illegally moved from an FMD controlled area to auctions in two provinces, is being investigated. We warn perpetrators who are illegally moving animals that they will be prosecuted for contravention of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984),\u201d Didiza said.<\/p>\n
The Minister said in all affected farms, dip tanks and other premises in the five affected provinces are placed under quarantine and no cloven-hoofed animals are allowed to move from these locations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been no change in the movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals, their products and genetic material out of, into, within or through the disease management areas, which are still in effect in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe margins of the two disease management areas are being considered to include the newly affected areas and other areas at high risk owing to uncontrolled mingling of animals. Culling, like all control measures, will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the practicality, costs, advantages and disadvantages of each scenario,\u201d Didiza said.<\/p>\n
FMD vaccines sale illegal<\/p>\n
FMD vaccination campaigns in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal are still ongoing in the areas where there is active virus circulation and where the animals are not fenced in to effectively prevent co-mingling. <\/p>\n
However, the Minister reiterated that the use of the FMD vaccine is strictly controlled by state veterinary services and the vaccine is not available for sale to the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe FMD vaccine can only be used in pre-authorised areas after the risks have been weighed. The department has become aware of companies advertising the sale of FMD vaccines and wishes to make it clear that the sale or use of such vaccines is illegal.” <\/p>\n
Safeguard your herds\u2019 health status<\/p>\n
Livestock owners are reminded to protect their herd from becoming infected by following the \u201cbuyer beware\u201d precautions.<\/p>\n
Principles to safeguard herds\u2019 health status:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tAbide by all veterinary movement restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tKnow the health status of the animals you are investing in.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tOnly buy animals that originate from known and proven sources.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tInsist on a veterinary health declaration before bringing animals onto the farm.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tIf in doubt, request a health attestation from the seller\u2019s veterinarian.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tKeep the new arrivals to your farm separate from your own animals for at least 28 days, and until you are satisfied that they are healthy.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tDo not move animals showing signs of disease.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tDo not buy animals from unknown origins.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tDo not buy animals originating from known infected areas.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tImprove biosecurity on your farm to protect your animals from diseases coming onto the farm and avoid nose-to-nose contact with the neighbour\u2019s cattle.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tAvoid buying animals from live auctions where animals have gathered from many different origins, especially if not intended for immediate slaughter.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Source: South African Government News Agency<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, says maximum cooperation from all stakeholders in the sector is necessary to control the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD).\u201cIt is important that everyone commits and respect…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[177],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n