Cape Town - The Western Cape government (WCG) wants national Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to implement a temporary ban on the movement of livestock into the Western Cape.
Premier Alan Winde said that he has directed Agriculture and Economic Development MEC Dr Ivan Meyer to urgently write to Steenhuisen requesting the temporary ban to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to the Western Cape.
On Tuesday, Meyer joined state vets attached to the province’s Beaufort West State Veterinarian Office at the local weighbridge to inspect vehicles transporting livestock through the town.
Commenting on the operation, Meyer highlighted that biosecurity presented a major risk to the agricultural sector and this province’s economy.
“The 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 disease (FMD) 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 Meyer.
Meyer said the spread of FMD poses a danger to the 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, he said.
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 R4.7bn worth of red meat globally, with the Western Cape contributing 14% (R6 million) to the total.
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,” he said.
Winde said: “Following a discussion in the Western Cape Cabinet meeting, I have requested that MEC Meyer urgently write to the Agriculture Minister requesting him to implement a temporary ban on the movement of livestock into the Western Cape.
“I have also asked Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku to please provide additional support to our colleagues in agriculture in these critical operations,” said Winde.
“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,” said Meyer.
Winde added that the WCG will continue to monitor the situation and identify any further measures, should this be required to prevent the disease from spreading.
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