Durban - Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza announced on Tuesday that all movement of cattle in South Africa would be suspended due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
Didiza said that the country is currently experiencing 116 outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) involving farms, feedlots and communal areas in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Free State.
She added that this decision is aimed at halting the continued spread of FMD in the country.
“It also means that cattle may not be moved from one property to another for any reason for a period of 21 days (reviewable weekly).”
Didiza also welcomed efforts made by farmers, communities and industries to curb illegal movements of animals from known positive areas and to improve biosecurity on animal holdings.
“However, the disease continues to spread, with 15 new properties and two new provinces affected in the last two weeks alone.”
Didiza said that the ban would be declared in the Government Gazette, and any disregard for the movement ban was a criminal offence.
“The exception will only be upon veterinary permit for cattle for direct slaughter at registered abattoirs and slaughter for ritual purposes.”
Didiza added that cattle that are already at shows, auctions and en route into the republic would be given 48 hours to be permitted to move to their final destination after being sold. The local state veterinary office should be contacted for these permits.
“Perpetrators that are illegally moving cattle will be prosecuted for contravention of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act no 35 of 1984).”
Didiza said that she understands that the movement ban will affect the normal business of many sectors.
“For this reason, the ban is only applicable to cattle, as the movement of cattle was identified as the main cause of the continued spread of the outbreaks. However, the public is reminded that all cloven-hoofed animals can spread Foot and Mouth Disease virus, and the movement of sheep, goats, pigs and cloven-hoofed game animals should also be handled with the necessary caution.”
Didiza added animals showing suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping or hoof lesions) must not be moved under any circumstances.