Department implements stricter measures to curb foot-and-mouth disease
Farmers around Limpopo expressed concern about the increase in livestock theft in the villages and farms.
LIMPOPO – The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development hosted a stock theft and foot-and-mouth disease awareness event at the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane last Tuesday.
MEC Thabo Mokone warned the communities that buying stolen livestock is a crime which is punishable by law.
“We plan several operations and roadblocks, and will be working hand-in-hand with the police, farmers, the community, and forums.”
Mokone said they would also be working with law enforcement authorities to also monitor the movement of animals to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease to other parts of the province. The department urged farmers and livestock owners to abide by the movement restrictions in place in all the affected areas, to prevent the further spread of the virus.
According to Mokone, signs of the disease may include depressed animals, sores in the animals’ mouths causing a reluctance to eat, and lameness.
“Any suspected cases of the disease must be reported to the local state veterinarian immediately. The affected areas are under quarantine, and no movement of animals and animal products is allowed. We’re in an understanding that we must cooperate with each other here. We will not allow movement, until we are satisfied. There might be those who, when they think nobody is watching, will try to manoeuvre and sell animal products to each other, but we will be watching and beefing up our team,” said Mokone.
Farmers around Limpopo expressed concern about the increase in livestock theft in the villages and farms, saying the problem would never be solved as police are often involved in some of the syndicates.
One of the local farmers who attended the event, Emmanuel Mudau of Mathuba Genetics, said they were afraid to get too involved or to report corrupt police officers, fearing victimisation for their own families.
“We as farmers need to upgrade our security. We are losing all our goats and cattle. People are no longer stealing because they want to eat. Stock theft has now become a business, people don’t simply steal only one cow nowadays,” he said.
Mudau also appealed to government to assist them in vaccinating their livestock.
