Stopping the spread of FMD will protect jobs

On Tuesday, 15 July 2024, the Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer joined state veterinarians attached to the Western Cape Government’s Beaufort West State Veterinarian Office at the local weighbridge to inspect vehicles transporting livestock through the town.

Commenting on the operation Minister Meyer highlighted that biosecurity presented a major risk to the agricultural sector and this province’s economy. “Today’s initiative is about showing my support for the steps taken by our state vets and the red meat industry to curb the spread of Foot and Mouth (FMD) Disease to the Western Cape.”

“Given the threat that FMD poses to the cattle industry, livestock owners must remain vigilant, step up their biosecurity measures and take all possible precautions to avoid introducing the disease to our province”, continued Minister Meyer.

“Following a discussion in the Western Cape Cabinet meeting today, I have requested that Minister Meyer urgently write to the Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen requesting him to implement a temporary ban on the movement of livestock into the Western Cape. I have also asked Provincial Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku to please provide additional support to our colleagues in Agriculture in these critical operations,” said Premier Alan Winde.

The spread of FMD poses a danger to our cattle industry, the agricultural economy and jobs in the sector. The red meat industry is one of the most important growing industries in the South African agricultural sector. The red meat industry contributes more than R70 billion to the country’s economy each year and employs over 600,000 people. In 2023, South Africa exported R4.7 billion red meat globally, whereby the Western Cape contributed 14% (R6 million) to the total.

Minister Meyer also remarked that given the seriousness of the threat he will be writing to his counterpart in the Eastern Cape,  MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe, to urge her to continue to enforce the measures outlined in Government Gazette notice 47263, issued in October 2022.

“We must work together to enforce biosecurity preventative measures regarding the movement of cattle, sheep and goats within areas outside FMD disease management areas including the Western Cape so that our farmers’ and workers’ livelihoods are not endangered.”

“I have also requested our state veterinarians to strictly enforce the current biosecurity measure and where possible explore further interventions that could strengthen our current operations.”

“Supported by the Western Cape Traffic Services officials our State Veterinarians can check livestock consignments for the correct documents, which include information regarding the origin, health status and destination of animals”, concluded Minister Meyer.

For further information and examples of all documents mentioned, please visit the Western Cape Veterinary Services website at https://shorturl.at/Hxfeo

To learn more about FMD, visit the WCDoA website: https://bit.ly/3PpeK8R