September 9, 2022

South Africa lifts nationwide ban on cattle movement

Thoko Didiza, South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, has lifted a nationwide ban on cattle movement in the country after a 21-day restriction, IOL reported.

Spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo said the work carried out by the state veterinary services, private veterinarians, and animal health technicians over the previous 21 days was the basis for the decision to lift the ban.

He said the fact that there have been no cases in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, or Northern Cape provinces before or during the 21 days is encouraging, thanks to the cooperation of traditional leaders, communities and the police.

There had been suspected cases near quarantined farms in Gauteng and the North West. In the previous week, no new cases were reported in Mpumalanga.

Ngcobo said in Limpopo, they will keep the area for disease management in and around the protected zone. The government's disease management area in the Free State will include places like Marquad, Viljoen Skroon, and Harrismith where no improvement has been seen.

He said that the KwaNongoma, Ulundi, KwaHlabisa, eHluhluwe, and eMtubatuba areas in KwaZulu-Natal would continue to be part of the disease management area.

Didiza said that in the areas where there were still active infections, her department would continue with surveillance and vaccination.

She said communities and farmers are urged to abide by the health protocols in place and to stop moving cattle or other animals illegally, adding that all farmers, feedlots, and auctioneers must enhance primary animal health care and strengthen biosecurity measures.

Last month, Louw van Reenen, the chief executive of the Beefmaster Group and the spokesperson for the Red Meat and Livestock Primary Cluster, expressed concern about the effects an extension of the Didiza-imposed 21-day cattle movement ban might have on the meat and livestock supply chain.

-      IOL