By Lloyd Phillips
Stakeholders in the state and the private sector are implementing updated measures to try to control the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in parts of the Eastern Cape.
The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and his department have outlined an official disease management area in the Government Gazette for the Kouga and Kou-Kamma local municipalities. Additionally, protocols have been published for the movement of animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease – cloven-hoofed livestock and wildlife.
“The primary objectives of the disease management area are to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease to unaffected areas and to reduce the viral load and infection pressure within the current outbreak area,” said a statement by the department.
Last week, Steenhuisen said he had set up a rapid response team to provide immediate support in handling all existing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.
Photo: Peter Lebogang Mashala
Agri Eastern Cape (Agri EC) and the Eastern Cape Red Meat Producers Organisation (EC RPO) are working closely with animal health experts from the state and private sector, as well as with Eastern Cape farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease or at risk of infection.
The organised agriculture bodies are helping farmers understand and comply with legislation and protocols, which ultimately work to their benefit.
In a joint statement, Agri EC and EC RPO said they will continue to act as facilitators for farmers’ applications for permits to move livestock within the disease management area. They will also facilitate permit applications for farmers outside the identified area but still within the boundaries of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities.
Application documents for movement permits vary depending on where the applicant’s animals are located, as well as the reasons and destinations for the animals’ movement.
The documents include declarations by owners that no clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease are present in the animals to be moved, as well as health declarations by private veterinarians or animal health technicians and livestock movement certificates bearing each owner’s registered brand mark.
A statement by the department said more livestock on 30 Eastern Cape farms tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease and were placed under quarantine as of 8 August. The animals on these farms are being vaccinated.
“Preventive vaccination has been carried out on an additional 37 farms that are at high risk due to their proximity to infected areas. This measure aims to create a buffer zone around the affected farms to further limit the spread of the disease,” the statement said.
“In total, more than 92 000 cattle and nearly 600 sheep on 67 farms have already been vaccinated.”
Eastern Cape farmers who need assistance or information about livestock movement measures or permit applications can contact the Agri coordination centre at 060 997 4503 or via email at agriops@agriec.co.za and agriops2@agriec.co.za.
