MINISTER DIDIZA UPLIFTS THE COUNTRY-WIDE BAN ON MOVEMENT OF CATTLE
The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms. Thoko Didiza, MP has taken a decision to uplift the country-wide ban on the movement of cattle after the 21-day ban.
The decision is based on the work done by the State Veterinary services, Private vets, and animal Health Technicians over the past 21 days. The cooperation of Traditional Leaders, communities, and the police assisted in limiting the spread.
It is encouraging that the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Northern Cape Provinces have not had a single case before and during the 21 days.
In Gauteng and North West, there have been suspect cases around quarantined farms, and in Mpumalanga, no new cases have been picked up in the past week.
In Limpopo, we will retain the disease management area in the protected zone and around. In Free State, our disease management area will cover those areas where no improvement has been observed, such as Marquad, Viljoenskroon, and Harrismith.
In KwaZulu-Natal the disease management area will be retained in KwaNongoma, Ulundi, KwaHlabisa, eHluhluwe and eMtubatuba.
In an effort to limit the negative effects of the disease as much as possible, the Minister has taken the decision to repeal the control measures relating to foot and mouth disease as prescribed in the Government Notice No. 2075 of 10 May 2022 and Government Notice No.2391 of 18 August 2022, and allow movements under certain conditions as outlined below, in the rest of the country except the new Disease Management Areas in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State as per attached maps- further details describing the DMA is in the Gazette Notice.
All movements must be accompanied by -
1) owner declaration
2) recipient undertaking to isolate the animals for at least 28 days before introducing them onto the main herd
3) all Stock Theft documents (Section 6 and section 8 documents)
We will continue with surveillance and vaccination in these areas that still have active infections. We call upon farmers and communities to observe the health protocols that have been put in place and refrain from the illegal movement of cattle/animals.
“Once again I call for improvement in the primary animal health care and the strengthening of biosecurity measures by all farmers, feedlots, and auctioneers” said Minister Didiza
