The Department of Agriculture has amended some of the guidelines for the control of foot-and-mouth disease in an effort to ease restrictions on affected farmers.
By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Updated requirements for the control and management of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in South Africa are currently being finalised and will be announced as soon as possible, according to Dr Botlhe Modisane, chief director of animal production and health, in a circular issued to provincial veterinary services.
To provide immediate relief to farmers who’ve been affected, the veterinary working group agreed on interim guideline amendments that could be implemented from the date of the circular – 24 February – while the formal revisions to the FMD control and management requirements are being finalised. All other sections of the 2024 FMD contingency plan remain in force for now.
Also read: FMD | Disaster status allows changes to legislation
The following amendments will apply until the fully updated requirements are published:
1. Identification of infected and vaccinated animals
1.1 On farms/premises that are infected or suspected of being infected, all cloven-hoofed animals must be individually identified and recorded in a database that will ensure livelong traceability.
1.2 On farms/premises that are not infected or suspected of being infected, all vaccinated cloven-hoofed animals must be individually identified and recorded in a database that will ensure livelong traceability.
1.3 No F branding will be required for suspect/infected and/or vaccinated animals.
2. Controlled slaughter from FMD-quarantined premises
2.1 For slaughter earlier than three months after Day 0, the current requirements and risk mitigation for slaughter at designated abattoirs remain in place.
2.2 From three months after Day 0, controlled slaughter from quarantined premises can take place at any registered non-export abattoir.
2.3 After three months post Day 0, meat must be subject to maturation, but there will be no further risk mitigation and no loss of parts of the carcass.
2.4 No animals that originate from properties under restriction for FMD may be slaughtered for the export market, unless expressly agreed to by the importing country.
3. Movement of milk from quarantined and/or vaccinated farms
3.1 For the movement of milk from quarantined farms, only single pasteurisation will be required for local consumption.
3.2 Milk that originates from properties under restriction for FMD may not be processed for the export market, unless expressly agreed to by the importing country.
3.3 There will be no veterinary restrictions on milk from FMD-vaccinated animals from farms/premises that are not under quarantine and that are not infected or suspected of being infected with FMD.
Click here to read the circular.
Also read:
FMD | Clover warns of ‘irreversible damage’ from control measures
‘We cannot put entire cattle herd under quarantine’ – SA dairy industry demands FMD policy clarity
FMD | Lactalis SA backs producers amid new outbreaks
FMD | SA’s Ayrshire dairy farmers’ desperate fight to save their herds
