01 Nov 2015

Some residents of Chanoga South in Ngamiland have complained that the newly constructed animal disease control fence has encroached into their grazing land. The fence is meant to separate disease free zones from infected zones in order to revive and protect the beef and livestock industry.

Residents made the complain during a kgotla meeting addressed by the area MP, Mr Kostantinos Markus. They requested the relocation of the fence to pave way for their livestock.

They argued that their cattle moved freely in the area, but that since the construction of the fence some of their livestock have died because of inadequate grazing land.

“We have lost many cattle due to the recurrent drought in the area and the presence of the fence has worsened the situation,” said one of the residents, Mr Tsimane Boeng, adding that there were three community farms on the other side of the fence which they did not have access to due to the fence.

He appealed to the MP to find out how the community could fully utilise the farms in question.

Responding, MP Markus told residents that there was no how the fence could be relocated as it was meant to separate the red zone from the green zone.

 “I was reliably informed that it is upon the community to come up with ideas and decide how they want to utilise the farms,” he said, urging them to reach an agreement whether they want to run the farms as a trust or they want to start income generating projects.

Regarding the Foot and Mouth Disease situation in the district, Mr Markus urged residents to be patient as the government continued to double its efforts to secure alternative markets for their cattle.

 He informed residents that the government appreciated the challenges faced by farmers in the district, adding that everything was being done to look for markets.

He said to reduce the impact, the government recently took a decision to close the Maun abattoir temporarily for its upgrading with a view to increasing efficiency and allowing for the slaughter of 130 cattle per day.

About 400 cattle were expected to be slaughtered per day and the arrangement was to collect cattle from places such as Shorobe, Chanoga and Makalamabedi which are eligible for slaughter.

Mr Markus said the arrangement of transporting cattle to Francistown did not bear any fruit due to the suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at Hainavelt farms, an area which has been always clear of the disease.

He said the government continued to control and contain FMD, but that some farmers frustrated efforts to win the battle. He challenged them to assist the government to win the FMD war by practicing 100 per cent vaccination.

“Vaccination is the only hope and solution for us to control and contain FMD. I therefore urge you to play your part by bringing all your cattle for vaccination,” he pleaded.

He pointed out that even though the government was doing all it could to fight the disease and protect the beef market, cattle farmers were also to blame because they did not take responsibility to vaccinate their animals.

Mr Markus urged residents to stop pointing fingers, noting that areas such as Chobe have many buffaloes which roam around and mix with cattle, but that FMD was under control because farmers were playing their part.

On what action had been taken regarding the suspected FMD, the area MP urged them to wait for a report which would be presented before the Minister of Agriculture in due course.

He said the report would assist relevant authorities to map the way forward. Ends