$1.5m availed for foot and mouth disease control

Business Reporter
TREASURY has released $1.5 million towards the control of the foot and mouth disease following a spate of outbreaks across the country. The outbreak is increasingly becoming a threat to the viability of the livestock industry at a time when the country is seized with rebuilding the national herd. The government has noted major outbreaks of foot and mouth, as well as other livestock diseases, since the beginning of the year to June.

Matabeleland North and South, Manicaland, the Midlands and Masvingo provinces are the most affected.

Recently, cattle sales and movement had to be banned in Bulawayo leading to the temporary closure of butcheries as authorities battled to tame the outbreak.

Last month the Midlands show also suspended livestock exhibition due to the outbreak.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa acknowledged the challenge.

He said animal diseases and risk management interventions by the government have facilitated importation of the necessary vaccines by the Department of Veterinary Services from Botswana.

“Already, about $1.5 million has been disbursed towards the control of the foot and mouth disease, and further disbursement will be undertaken in line with disease control requirements,” he said.

“Measures to realise full containment of the outbreak will have to be complemented by increased compliance with veterinary guidelines over movement of cattle.”

The minister said government efforts should be complemented with discipline on the part of farmers and abattoir operators in order to sustain the growth of the national herd.

Latest statistics indicate total number of cattle slaughtered in the formal abattoirs during the first half of 2015 stood at 125,688 compared to 121,326 during the same period in 2014.