KZN meat producers affected by panic over foot-and-mouth disease
Neighbouring countries have banned the import of SA’s red meat until they get proof the outbreak is contained
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 informatio...
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