MEDIA STATEMENT

08 SEPTEMBER 2022

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 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 co-operation 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 has been suspect cases around quarantined farms and in Mpumalanga, no new cases had been picked up in 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, Viljoen Skroon 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 has active infections.

We call upon farmers and communities to observe the health protocols that have been put in place and refrain from 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.

Issued by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development: • Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson: Mr Reggie Ngcobo, 0662980980 or MLO.Minister@dalrrd.gov.za. • Eviction Toll-free Number 0800 007 095

Minister Didiza announced the decision to suspend all movement of cattle in the country due Foot-And-Mouth disease outbreak.

The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms. Thoko Didiza, MP has taken the decision to suspend all movement of cattle in the whole country. The Ministers decision is aimed at halting the continued spread of Foot and Mouth Disease in the country. 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 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 acknowledges 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.  However, the disease continues to spread, with 15 new properties and two new provinces affected in the last two weeks alone

The ban will be declared in Government Gazette. Any disregard for the movement ban is a criminal offense. 

The exception will only be upon veterinary permit for:
(i)    Cattle for direct slaughter at registered abattoirs
(ii)    Slaughter for ritual purposes    

“Cattle that are already at shows, auctions and enroute into the republic will be given 48 hours to be permitted to move to final destination after being sold, the local state veterinary office should be contacted for these permits” said Minister Didiza

Minister Didiza warns perpetrators that are illegally moving cattle that they will be prosecuted for contravention of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act no 35 of 1984).  

The Minister recognizes the major disruption that the movement ban will cause in the normal business of many sectors.  For this reason, 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.  

Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson:
Mr Reggie Ngcobo
Cell: 066 2980 980
Email: MLO.Minister@dalrrd.gov.za