The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has doubled down on the control of livestock movements in an attempt to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Eastern Cape.
Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has gazetted new measures, stipulating that no cloven-hoofed animals, animal products derived from cloven-hoofed animals or genetic material from them may be moved from, to or within the province’s disease management areas, without a permit from a state veterinarian.
The disease management area includes parts of the Kou-Kamma and Kouga Municipalities, bordered by the Groot River in the west and north, the Witelsbos State Forest in the north, the Kabeljous River in the east, and the coast in the south.
All movement of live cattle, sheep and goats in the provinces must be accompanied by an owner declaration attesting to the origin and health status of the animals, and a signed undertaking of the recipient at the destination farm, confirming that the animals will be isolated for at least 28 days before introducing them into the main herd.
Steenhuisen’s department said in a statement, the investigation into the origin and extent of the outbreak in the Eastern Cape continues.
Twenty-three farms in the Humansdorp area and one farm in the East London area have been confirmed as positive for FMD.
Neighbouring farms and linked locations have been placed under precautionary quarantine, “pending clinical and serological investigations to determine their FMD status”.
Dr Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape minister of agriculture, economic development and tourism, welcomed the decision, “given our proximity to the Eastern Cape and, in particular, Humansdorp”.
Meyer said traffic officials and state veterinarians would check vehicles entering the Western Cape to ensure they comply with the new measures.
The province remains FMD-free, and provincial authorities have involved the Red Meat Producers Organisation, Agri Western Cape, and provincial law enforcement to assist in enforcing preventative measures.
