KwaZulu-Natal meat producers are concerned about the
effect of the ban on the export of South African red meat after a
strain of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was discovered in Limpopo
last week.
SA’s FMD-free status was suspended after the disease was confirmed
by the FMD laboratory and the matter was reported to the World
Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, eSwatini and Mozambique have announced a
complete ban on importing South African meat until they have proof that
the disease has been contained.
Sandy le Marque, the CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union
(Kwanalu), told Business Day that farmers in the province are deeply
affected by the ban and the ensuing panic about the disease. “The
impact of a serious disease such as FMD is really serious for
agriculture as a whole. What remains critical is for livestock producers
in KwaZulu-Natal to tighten up their bio-security protocols, remain
vigilant and follow the disease management information.”
A study conducted by the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) found
in 2017 that if the country lost its FMD-free status, the economy would
lose about R6bn a year. The country lost its FMD-free status in 2011
after an outbreak and only regained it in 2014, at a cost of R4bn to the
economy, according to the organisation.
Containment
On Monday, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries Senzeni
Zokwana met red meat producers from around the country and said he was
confident his department will be able to contain the outbreak to the
Vhembe District in Limpopo.
The stakeholders have agreed to form a joint operations centre to deal with any problems arising from the outbreak.
Zokwana said the government will try and convince the neighbouring
countries and other trading partners to continue importing meat from
non-affected part of SA.
“We want to emphasise that the outbreak is limited to Vhembe
District, at Sundani Village. There are less than 50 affected cattle in
an area with about 10,000 to 15,000 cattle. The area remains under
quarantine and vaccination is starting so that no further infections can
occur. FMD is not transmittable to human beings and there should be no
panic whatsoever,” Zokwana said.
Hendrik Botha, from the KwaZulu-Natal RPO, said the province
accounts for about 30% of meat producers in the country and all of them
will be severely affected if the ban persists for a long period of
time. He said, however, they are not folding their hands during the
crisis.
“We are working with the government and other stakeholders to
mitigate the impact of the outbreak and the ban on South African red
meat. So this is not the end of the world and we are confident that a
solution will be found,” he said. “It is good to know that the
government has sent a team of experts and vets to the affected area so
that this outbreak is contained and other areas are not affected.”
