The decision is aimed at halting the continued spread of FMD. It also means that cattle may not be moved from one property to another for any reason for a period of 21 days reviewable weekly.
The exception will only be upon veterinary permit for:
(i) Cattle for direct slaughter at registered abattoirs
(ii) Slaughter for ritual purposes
The country is currently experiencing 116 outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), involving farms, feedlots, and communal areas in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Free State Provinces.
The Minister acknowledged the efforts made by farmers, communities, and industries to curb illegal movements of animals from known positive areas and to improve biosecurity on animal holdings. Despite this, the disease continues to spread, with 15 new properties and two new provinces affected in the last two weeks alone
“Cattle that are already at shows, auctions, and en route into the republic will be given 48 hours to be permitted to move to the final destination after being sold, the local state veterinary office should be contacted for these permits,” said Minister Didiza.
Any disregard for the movement ban is a criminal offense.
She warned perpetrators that are illegally moving cattle that they will be prosecuted for contravention of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act no 35 of 1984).
In recognition of the major disruption that the movement ban will cause in the normal business of many sectors, the ban is only applicable to cattle, as the movement of cattle was identified as the main cause of the continued spread of the outbreaks. However, the public is reminded that all cloven-hoofed animals can spread Foot and Mouth Disease Virus, and the movement of sheep, goats, pigs, and cloven-hoofed game animals should also be handled with the necessary caution.
Animals showing suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping, or hoof lesions) must not be moved under any circumstances. Members of the public must contact their District State Veterinary Services or their private veterinarians immediately.
-WRSA
