11 Mar 2013

The principal veterinary officer responsible for Selebi Phikwe and Bobirwa area, Dr Ofentse Odirile has said the export of live cattle from Zone 7 to Zimbabwe will start soon.

Briefing Bobirwa Sub-district Council on March 8, Dr Odirile said farmers were advised to make necessary arrangements with Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) in Francistown regarding the number of cattle they would want to sell to the Zimbabwean market.

He said BMC would select animals for export through the commission’s normal selection procedures and conditions, adding that the Department of Veterinary Services would monitor the selected animals for 21 days before being exported to Zimbabwe.

The animal health officer said all animals would be subjected to clinical inspection for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and other diseases before export.

He also said the FMD vaccination campaign would start on March 15 and urged farmers to submit their cattle for vaccination. He said the FMD programme had been availed in all veterinary extension offices.

Regarding the May 2011 FMD outbreak in which over 5 000 cattle were slaughtered in the Robelela and Tshokwe areas, Dr Odirile said restocking of cattle in the affected places was anticipated to commence between April and May.

He said 2 260 cattle would be bought from the Zone 6 area and possibly Zone 9. However, he said the exact date and price of cattle would be communicated in due course. ENDS