The South African red meat and livestock sector has praised their Botswana counterparts for acting swiftly with an aim to curb the spread of foot and mouse disease.
Following the outbreak of the FMD in South Africa, Botswana’s director of veterinary services, Dr. Kefentse Motshegwa, told farmers and the farming sector of the decision to impose the movement of cattle.
Motshegwa informed the stakeholders that the movement of all cloven hoof animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, antelope, etc) had been imposed.
He also Motshegwa also said the export of cloven hoof animals, beef, fresh meat, and raw animal products had been suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
“All issued permits have been cancelled and should be considered invalid. Slaughter is temporarily suspended, abattoirs and slaughter slabs may slaughter animals that are already in the lairages but may not admit any more animals until further notice,” said Motshegwa as per Daily Maverick and Farmers Weekly.
“This movement restriction facilitates disease investigation and will be lifted once investigations are concluded.”
Meanwhile, the CEO of Beefmaster Group and spokesperson for the Red Meat and Livestock Primary Cluster, Louw van Reenen has welcomed the move.
“We congratulate the government of Botswana for its swift action. This decisive intervention was needed, but lacking, four years ago when FMD was first identified in South Africa, which is why the problem is so pervasive,” he said.
“There is much to learn from this commendable and bold move by our neighbour.”
As the country enters almost a third week since the outbreak of the disease, the South African government called for a temporary suspension of the movement of cattle in the country to curb the rampant spread of FMD.
Van Reenen also believes the 21-day restriction and the precautionary moves were necessary to save the industry from the disease.
“Industry players say that the action was necessary, albeit a case of too little too late. The industry has been wanting the country to prioritise FMD with urgency since its outbreak,” he added.
“We have got to a stage where the 21-day restriction on the movement of cattle is necessary.”
However, he said the battle to get ahead of FMD required industry and government participation, yet the lack of industry consultations in the lead-up to the announcement had left the industry with much uncertainty.
Main Image: daily Marverick
