Animal movement control goes hand in hand with vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), said Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), during an FMD briefing. “At roadblocks they will open your boot to check that there aren’t any cows!”
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
Ramokgopa and John Steenhuisen, the Minister of Agriculture, led a ministerial foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination outreach campaign in Katlehong on the East Rand, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 7 March. During this event, over 200 cattle were vaccinated and tagged as part of the government’s intensified response to FMD.
Ramokgopa said the province was pleased to accelerate the vaccination drive after receiving its second batch of imported vaccines.
She stressed that vaccination was only one of the tools available to control the disease and called for stronger collaboration among farmers, veterinarians and law enforcement agencies.
According to Ramokgopa, the province has refined its animal movement control framework, which has now been shared with law enforcement and security clusters to strengthen efforts to prevent the spread of FMD.
‘We Want You To Trade; Just Responsibly’
She emphasised that movement controls are not intended to stop farmers from trading but rather to ensure livestock movement is properly documented.
“Farmers’ livelihoods depend on their ability to trade and we are not saying they must stop trading,” she said. “We are simply asking that trading happens responsibly and with the required documentation.”
Ramokgopa added that as the country’s economic hub, Gauteng wants to see agricultural trade continue while protecting the livestock sector from further outbreaks.
Also read and watch:
Government ramps up FMD vaccination campaign in Gauteng
Bodibe communal farmers vaccinate to increase cattle market value
FMD in piggeries: Cases increase but approvals for designated abattoirs still slow
FMD | Dunevax places confidence in state and delivers vaccines to OBP
