31 Aug 2023

Moshupa District Council Chairperson, Mr Sonny Phiri, has expressed concern on the low rate of cattle ear-tagging.

Mr Phiri, who was speaking during full council meeting in Mosupa recently, said 40 percent of cattle population was attributed to farmers’ ear tagging their livestock for selling purposes and not for traceability and vaccination records.

He called on farmers to use that service. Three baits cafes were operational in Moshupa District.

“Baits system for permit issuance to farmers is up and running,” he said.

“We have two in Moshupa and one in Lekgolobotlo. Other baits cafes are yet to be opened in Sesung, Pitseng and Manyana.”

Mr Phiri said selling of ear tags in Moshupa was to commence soon as partitioning of BAMB facility was on the completion stage and only awaiting to be furnished and connected with government internet.

Farmers should liase with their veterinary officers to vaccinate their cattle for anthrax and quarter evil.

So far 2424 and 1006 cattle had been vaccinated against anthrax and quarter evil respectively. About 1950 dogs and 148 cats had been vaccinated against rabies.

“Vaccination campaign in cattle for anthrax and quarter evil is ongoing in Sesung.

It has since commenced this month and it will be completed at the end of the month,” Mr Phiri said. The campaign would then move to other extension areas such as Pitseng, Moshupa, Ranaka and Manyana.

He underscored that vaccination of pets against rabies had started in Moshupa and was continuously done every day.

To ensure zero percent disease prevalence and incidences by prompt conduction of disease surveillance, treatment and vaccination, Mr Phiri said, they had recently operated an educational stall at Moshupa Agricultural Show.

He encouraged farmers to liaise with veterinary services for registration of holding kraals for European Market Eligibility.

“Masimo, boreholes, fields, integrated farms and kraals are being registered by veterinary services for animals to be eligible for European market,” he said. ENDS