Abattoirs propose Foot and Mouth levy

Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Association of Abattoirs (ZAA) has proposed to contribute a voluntary levy of $2 per cattle head slaughtered to a special purpose account to facilitate the importation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines to control the disease.

According to the Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (LMAC)’s latest update, ZAA has tabled a proposal where all registered abattoir operators contribute a levy of $2 per head slaughtered towards the purchase of FMD vaccines. The country is reported to have spent at least $4 million since the outbreak of the disease in April.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for livestock, Paddy Zhanda acknowledged the proposal by ZAA and hinted that it gave relief to continuous straining of Government’s resources in its bid to combat the disease.

“I can confirm that LMAC has proposed to come up with a certain contribution towards FMD but we are still negotiating with them. One of the problems, which have affected the agricultural sector, has been the fact that everybody looks up to Government to do any form of intervention on their behalf. Going forward it’s important that all stakeholders look at the welfare of their sector instead of leaving the onus to Government,” Deputy Minister Zhanda said.

However, according to information obtained from LMAC the Deputy Minister is said to be of the view that the proposed levy of $2 by ZAA was insufficient to achieve the objective of containing the epidemic and suggested that the levy be increased to $5 per head, sufficient to purchase 50 000 doses.

LMAC said there was urgent need for 500 000 doses of vaccines to conduct booster vaccinations in active zones.

Matabeleland Agriculture Business Chamber director Mr Gerald Bhebhe said the initiative by ZAA was a noble idea towards ensuring the survival of the beef industry but hinted that there was need for other stakeholders to come to the fold as well.

“The intended contribution by ZAA is a noble idea but coming from one actor it’s not adequate. We need to have all players in the value chain to contribute and even farmers themselves have said they are willing to contribute at least $2 per animal and if only this was done long back we would have contained the disease by now,” Mr Bhebhe said.

Latest outbreaks of FMD occurred in Binga (last week of September) and there have also been reports of infections in Mhondoro-Ngezi. Cattle movement restrictions are in place for most districts in Masvingo and permits are issued for cattle being moved for direct slaughter.

“Outbreaks have been reported at Aisbley Farm but that has since been contained and another one in Binga, which is suspected to have been brought by people selling sugarcane from Gokwe,” said Zimbabwe Farmers Union Matabeleland North provincial chairman Mr Winston Babbage.

The Department of Veterinary Services Matabeleland North provincial officer, Dr Polex Moyo, confirmed the outbreaks but said they have been contained.

“The outbreak at Aisbley Farm happened at the beginning of last month and vaccination was done. We even directed abattoirs in the surrounding areas to close but we have since directed them to open. As for the one in Binga we have since vaccinated 13 000 cattle around the affected section and we continue to do the vaccination. Those animals (in Binga) are usually vaccinated annually because they are in a red zone and mingle with buffaloes frequently,” he said.

He said the outbreaks were a result of illegal cattle movement from affected areas to unaffected areas.

LMAC said players in the beef industry have recommended for fines and penalties to be increased for producers who flout movement restrictions, including drastic measures such as destroying all animals that are illegally moved as is done in Namibia and Botswana.

The other recommendations included tightening movement controls of cattle for direct slaughter so as to curb abuse with destinations of animals for direct slaughter being limited to abattoirs that are monitored by the Department of Veterinary Services staff.

Trucks are to be sealed at source and the seal is only broken at the destination abattoir in the presence of veterinary staff and weekly reports be instituted of acquittal of permits for direct slaughter at both the source and destination to ensure that no animals have been diverted.