10 May 2024
After recently visiting the Eastern Cape, Roelie van Reenen, Beefmaster’s supply chain head, says he fears the province’s foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is more extensive than believed.
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development confirmed a case of foot-and-mouth disease last week on a farm in Humansdorp.
Van Reenen says a lack of biosecurity measures was notable during his visit to the province, so he is concerned that the extent of the outbreak could be larger than realised. The only line of defence against the disease is the beef industry’s practices and biosecurity.
“The virus doesn’t spread on its own. We as an industry spread it through negligence and our carefree attitude,” says Van Reenen.
The farm where the outbreak was confirmed has been placed under quarantine and the origin of the specific strain of the disease is being investigated. Meanwhile, the Kouga municipality has banned the movement of animals within its borders to curb the spread of the disease.
Hunters planning trips to the Eastern Cape have also been warned that foot-and-mouth has been confirmed in the province.
Everyone’s responsibility
Van Reenen says foot-and-mouth disease remains a threat due to factors such as the movement of animals from control areas and other hotspots, insufficient vaccination administration and a lack of awareness about the disease.
He says all stakeholders in the industry must take their responsibilities seriously and do as much as possible to prevent the disease spreading. “Biosecurity measures work to combat its spread, but only if stakeholders enforce them.”
He suggests that the right questions about traceability should be asked when purchasing cattle. “Proper screening is required, and finding out exactly where the cattle come from before any animal is purchased.”
Van Reenen says several stakeholders in the beef industry have made significant efforts at feedlots and on farms to limit or prevent the outbreak of diseases, but more can be done.
According to him, complacency and proceeding as if there is no immediate threat or danger are the biggest stumbling blocks. “We can no longer conduct business without adequate biosecurity measures in place. It is no longer safe to rely on relationships or the past and say, ‘I know where my cattle come from because I have been buying from this place for years’.”
Maintaining the necessary safety measures will protect the beef industry, which is expected to make a significant contribution to the growth of the red meat industry and add more than R12 billion to South Africa’s gross domestic product by 2030.
“The beef industry has been focusing on new markets for our products over the past few years. We cannot afford to lose these export markets, as well as new markets, due to foot-and-mouth disease,” says Van Reenen.
Fears for Western Cape
While the Western Cape has so far avoided outbreaks of foot-and-mouth, the Humansdorp outbreak brings the disease within 100km of its border.
According to a statement by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, it proves how quickly the disease can spread and why it is essential for farmers to be vigilant for any signs of a possible outbreak.
The statement says: “Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious disease that occurs in animals with split hooves, such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The current outbreak affects cattle and buffalo.
“The virus causes painful blisters in the mouth that result in loss of appetite and excessive salivation. Sores may also occur on the skin around the hooves and lead to lameness.
“The disease has an incubation period of two weeks from when the animal is infected until it shows clinical signs. During this period, the animals will appear normal and healthy while the disease quietly spreads. Therefore, no movement of animals is safe without a 28-day quarantine period.”
Auctions ‘risky’
While the Western Cape is still foot-and-mouth disease-free, all livestock owners are encouraged to buy animals only from reputable sellers and preferably not from provinces where foot-and-mouth has been confirmed.
Furthermore, the department warns that buying animals at auctions is very risky and not recommended. Vehicles transporting animals, as well as feed, can spread the virus.
