01 Mar 2016

There has been no occurrence of Foot and Mouth Disease in Dikgatlhong, Robelela and Tshokwe since the last outbreak in 2011, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse has said.  

Mr Autlwetse said the outbreak in these villages affected Bobonong and surrounding cattle posts.  “This is because Mmadinare and Bobonong areas are not physically separated by any barrier and therefore in the same veterinary zone,” he said. 

The assistant minister said Zone 7 was declared FMD free without vaccination until the outbreak in 2011. 

Following the repeated outbreaks, the long term strategy to combat FMD in the areas was developed, he said. 

He said his ministry, together with Ngwato Land Board, developed a map for demarcation of farms along the boundary with Zimbabwe, which when allocated and developed would serve as a protection against further incursions. 

Mr Autlwetse said his ministry has created an area of intensive surveillance along the boundary and also vaccinated cattle in the area with purified vaccine. 

He said this strategy had been endorsed by the World Animal Health Organisation and had been shared with trading partners, especially the Southern African Development Community. 

The assistant minister said his ministry would, in August, submit an application for FMD freedom for consideration at the OIE General Session to be held in May next year. 

He said once the application is approved, Zone 7 would have access to a lucrative beef market. 

Mmadinare MP, Mr Michael Mzwinila had asked the Minister of Agriculture to state if there had ever been any occurrence of FMD in Mmadinare and the surrounding cattle posts. 

He also asked if there had ever been any occurrence of FMD in Bobonong and the surrounding cattle posts. 

He also wanted to know the progress regarding the preparation of the long term strategy to combat FMD in the area. 

The Mmadinare MP also wanted the minister to state his vision regarding the viability and sustainability of the cattle industry in the Mmadinare and Bobonong region. Ends