Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
GOVERNMENT has advised farmers that the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) control measures apply to all cloven hooved animals including pigs.
The Department of Veterinary Services indicated that pigs in the FMD areas could also not be moved to other areas.
This came after pig producers had requested an FMD directive waiver, citing increased production costs due to limited market access.
DVS chief director, Dr Pious Makaya said FMD affected and could be transmitted by all cloven hooved animals, which included pigs, cattle and goats.
“So, all movement restrictions as a result of FMD outbreaks equally affect pigs,” he said.
Pork producers cooperative, Premier Agriculture Cooperative chairperson, Mr Tapiwa Takawira petitioned the Government to put a waiver to the quarantine order issued in Goromonzi as it was severely affecting their business.
“Reference is given to the quarantine order (Goromonzi district) communication made by DVS on March 26, 2026. Farmers are now stranded as slaughters for pigs have been halted indefinitely. The ripple effects leave us as farmers, counting losses as our production is centred around zero grazing, unlike cattle farmers,” he said.
The producers had initially engaged the PIB to intervene but the board referred them to the DVS.
Goromonzi District was put under indefinite quarantine after dip tanks with at least 100 cattle were suspected to be infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
During the period, livestock will not be allowed to move into or out of the affected area.
The quarantine order was issued on March 18 in terms of Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of Section 21 of the Animal Health Act, 1960 (Revised addition 1996).
“You are hereby notified that the land under Goromonzi District (all dip tanks) has at least 100 cattle suspected to be infected with the FMD and is placed under quarantine for an indefinite period.
“During the indefinite period, no ruminant or pigs may be moved or allowed to stray into or from the above-mentioned land.”
To mitigate or stop the spread of the disease, farmers must report any suspiciously sick animals and produce all cattle vaccinations to DVS.
They must also report any illegal movements of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs to DVS and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
FMD is a notifiable disease officially monitored, prevented and controlled through a Government programme.
The disease is transmitted through direct contact, contaminated equipment, vehicles and even airborne spread under certain conditions.
Outbreaks often result in quarantines, movement restrictions and in some cases culling of infected and at-risk animals, leading to significant losses for farmers and disruption of entire value chains.
