THE movement of cloven-hoofed animals (including wildlife) and unprocessed products out of the Mopani, Capricorn and Vhembe Districts, as well as the Molemole Municipality, is discouraged until further notice.
No cloven hoofed animals are allowed to move within, into or out of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Management area.
This, is according to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana regarding an outbreak of FMD in the province last month.
The disease was identified in cattle in the Vhembe District last month, leading to a provincial ban on the import of local meat products by several countries to minimise the risk of contamination.
“To date, the total number of cattle vaccinated is over 10 000 and vaccinated cattle are marked to identify them as vaccinated.
Products from cloven hoofed animals may be allowed to move within this area, but movements out of the area will be considered on merit and only allowed with permits issued by the local state veterinarian and in compliance with the conditions of such permits,” he said.
As a result of the outbreak, South Africa lost its World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recognised FMD free zone without vaccination status, which had a devastating effect on trade of cloven hoofed animals and their products from South Africa.
“While some countries instituted official bans, trade was further disrupted as a result of the inability to certify for any exports where FMD free zone attestation is required.
Following the sharing of update reports with trade partners, trade restrictions on the export of processed products have been relaxed by many trade partners and trade in safe commodities to direct neighbouring countries have largely been accepted,” he added.
Zokwana added that the cattle affected by the outbreak are kept in rural villages with communal diptanks and grazing.
The affected villages are in close proximity, within a 20 kilometre radius.
The estimated number of cattle in the 20km around the affected villages is 15 000, of which 4 500 are in the FMD free zone.
“A disease management area was declared, being the area enclosed by the R81, the R36, N1 and the R524 roads. A Veterinary Operations Committee (VOC), which meets daily, was also established and their three main activities include: inspections/ surveillance, vaccination and movement control.
Culling of affected or in-contact animals in the area is at the moment not advocated.
Vaccination of cattle commenced on 14 January 2019, starting with cattle in the affected villages, as well as cattle in the 20km radius around the affected villages.” In addition, the movement of clovenhoofed animals (including wildlife) and unprocessed products out of the Capricorn, Mopani and Vhembe Districts, as well as the Molemole Municipality, is discouraged until further notice.
Source: NorthernReview
