09 Dec 2013

There has never been an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Zone 2B in North West District since the area was divided into four subzones in 1997.

The assistant minister of Agriculture, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi informed parliament on Thursday that the last time Zone 2 experienced FMD outbreaks was before it was divided into subzones in 1980.

“Since its delineation as a separate subzone, Zone 2B has not had an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease,” he said in response to a question.

MP Bagalatia Arone of Okavango had asked when the last FMD outbreak was recorded in Zone 2B. He also wanted to know why the zone has not been considered a protected zone ultimately to allow farmers to sell to the European Union market.
 Mr Molebatsi explained that Zone 2B is in the middle of infected zones 2C and 2A which is a high risk zone due to its proximity to Chobe National Park and the Caprivi area in Namibia, which is a home for FMD host buffaloes.

“Creating a free zone in the middle of an infected area Zone 2 will require extensive fencing which considering the terrain and challenge of resources is not immediately feasible,” he said. ENDS