10 Feb 2016

Ministry of Agriculture is indeed engaging the private sector veterinarians, animal health technicians and retired animal health personnel to carry out vaccination of the national herd against Anthrax and Quarter Evil Diseases.

The assistant minister, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse said the move was to ensure that the administration of vaccines was done in line with best practices to protect the health of the animals and farmers.

Government, he said, provides all vaccines and ensures maintenance of cold chain for vaccines to be kept at specific temperatures. The quality of such vaccinations is supervised and monitored by District Veterinary officers, he added.
The assistant minister was responding to a parliamentary question from the Member of Parliament for Ramotswa, Mr Samuel Rantuana.

He had asked the minister if it was true that government has engaged a private company to vaccinate the national flock against Anthrax, and if so, how will the safety of cattle and quality of medication be monitored.

Meanwhile, responding to another question from MP for Ghanzi North, Mr Noah Salakae,  the assistant minister said a total of 17 473 people have benefitted from Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) for the period August 2010 to January 2016.

Mr Autlwetse told Parliament that the beneficiaries per category are small stock 14 002, poultry 2 544, animal husbandry and fodder support 598 and water provision 329. The Ghanzi North legislator had wanted to know how many people have benefited under LIMID in the above mentioned categories by district. Ends