Dear Editor
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a serious and highly infectious disease. It has caused enormous losses in the past and has recently spread to a number of provinces. If left unchecked, an outbreak across South Africa threatens to completely halt the trade in livestock and cause irreparable damage to the meat industry, and its ability to support jobs.
The Western Cape is, thankfully, still free from foot-and-mouth disease.
In response to a parliamentary question from the DA, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture has outlined the preventative measures they have put in place.
Our provincial department is already hard at work.
Veterinary officials from the department have been conducting inspections at roadblocks, checking livestock for symptoms and verifying livestock identification documents. This helps to prevent infected animals from entering the province. These officials have recently received training specifically aimed at identifying FMD cases.
Visits are also conducted at livestock auctions to ensure that stringent biosecurity measures are adhered to. This is of the highest importance as even one infected animal can cause a major outbreak at an otherwise healthy farm.
Furthermore, the Department is working with other provinces, the National Directorate of Animal Health and relevant stakeholders to maintain FMD-free areas through a comprehensive livestock movement policy. This collaboration includes weekly update meetings where the latest developments are communicated so that staff are always up to date.
MPP Andricus van der Westhuizen says, “While foot-and-mouth disease can do serious damage to our economy, we welcome the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s great efforts to prevent a disaster. The matter is being effectively dealt with by a competent provincial government, but it will require buy in from all livestock traders and owners to make sure the disease remains contained.
The DA in the Western Cape calls on all of our farmers to work with their government so that we can keep the industry going and food on our tables.”
Regards
Andricus van der Westhuizen, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Agriculture
