After 24 years of being foot-and-mouth-disease-free, the Kingdom of Eswatini is now struggling with growing outbreaks of this economically important disease. The original FMD outbreak is suspected to have originated in South Africa.
By Lloyd Phillips, Senior Journalist at Landbouweekblad and African Farming
Since the initial discovery of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in neighbouring Eswatini in May this year, outbreaks of this disease there have reportedly rapidly increased to at least 35. Valuable exports of cloven-hoofed livestock and game have been banned, and even domestic income-generation opportunities for Eswatini’s livestock and game owners have been significantly reduced.
The World Organisation for Animal Health reports that the initial outbreak of FMD in Eswatini was among communally farmed cattle in the Sikhwebezi dip tank area along the southern frontier of the country. The border with South Africa that has long been struggling unsuccessfully against spreading outbreaks of FMD is comparatively close.
Liz Reilly is a director of Impofu Ranching and a trustee and executive of Big Game Parks in Eswatini. The former enterprise, in the country’s southern Lubuli district, is home to renowned stud and commercial herds of Nguni and Boran cattle.
She told African Farming: “All movements of cloven-hoofed animals have been prohibited due to FMD outbreaks in southern Eswatini. This is causing severe financial hardship, as all sales of game and cattle were stopped overnight, and advertised sales have had to be postponed until further notice.”
Also read: Foot-and-mouth disease and desperate farmers: Vaccination holds the key
South Africa The Suspected Origin
Reilly says she has been led to understand that Eswatini’s initial FMD outbreak somehow originated in the Pongola district of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
“Eswatini has now lost its ‘FMD-free without vaccination’ status. Exports of cattle and game from Eswatini have now been closed. This is causing enormous losses in much-needed revenue.”
Reilly adds that with local sales of cattle also now prohibited, Impofu Ranching cannot generate income that is used to support nature conservation efforts in Eswatini.
To hopefully prevent FMD from entering the properties and animals of Impofu Ranching and Big Game Parks, Reilly and her colleagues are having a 6m-wide cordon of electrified and unelectrified fencing erected. Although this measure is essential, it comes at a great cost.
Also read: FMD outbreaks in JB Marks: Many communal farmers do not comply with protocols
She says although FMD outbreaks are causing immense financial hardship for the country’s livestock and game owners, the kingdom’s veterinary services and disaster management agency must be commended for their tireless efforts to try to stop the spread of the disease there. This includes a mandatory requirement for all cattle to be registered on Eswatini’s digital ear tag traceability system, and a strict permitting requirement for the movement of cattle.
“Our government is going to a lot of effort to gain the understanding of farmers and to encourage their support in enforcing the prohibition on movements. It’s all come as a sudden shock and people are still getting used to the new normal.
“We can only hope that the situation comes under control soon so that trade can resume.”
