12 Jun 2013

The eradication of 20 000 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) infected small stock in the Zone Six villages of Matshelagabedi, Matsiloje, Matopi, Patayamatebele and Ditladi has commenced.                

Briefing the media in Francistown on June 11, the FMD eradication project coordinator, Dr Kekgonne Baipoledi said there were six collection points where farmers would have to take their animals to be transported to the killing points at Impala kraals.

He stated that, unlike last year when people were allowed to watch when cattle were being killed, people would not be allowed except for a few agricultural staff who would be engaged in the eradication process. “We are treating this issue as sensitive as possible because these are the same people affected by last year’s killing of their cattle,” he said. 

Stakeholders such as the North East District administration would be part of the assessment and counselling lineup regarding the affected farmers, he said, adding that although it was painful to the farmers, they had been cooperative.

Dr Baipoledi said the number of the small stock in the area had dropped from their estimated figure of 30 000. He however, attributed the discrepancy to the possibility of some farmers either selling or killing their stock for social reasons such as weddings and family sessions.               

A three-month long surveillance of wild animals in free ranges and game farms would ensue after this 10-day exercise to clear any traces of the disease, said the veterinarian.

He said if their findings could produce positive results, re-stocking would be delayed further to allow for the wild animals in the areas to shed off the virus as any other wild animals besides buffaloes could shed the FMD virus in a short period of time. In addition, Dr Baipoledi mentioned that it was the first time for goats and sheep to be killed due to FMD infection.

He said the virus was persistent even after they had vaccinated the animals with purified vaccine and was even passed on to the unborn offsprings. This kind of persistent virus, he said, was first seen in Mozambique in 2010 and as such they had to eradicate the disease by killing the animals to clear it off as a preventative measure.

Regarding declaring the affected Zone Six area a disaster zone as requested by some members of the media, the district agricultural coordinator, Mr Alfred Mashugwa said they were in constant consultation with members of the community in affected areas to get their suggestions.

He, however, noted that government had previously assisted the affected areas with farming equipment. Mr Mashugwa said of the 15 000 hectors of ploughing land in the area, 14 000 hectors was ploughed with some farmers helped by the crop production unit to de-stamp their fields, with costs incurred by the ministry. ENDS