Government suspends S. African meat imports

products from South Africa following foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Kwazulu Natal Province.
Livestock and Veterinary Services Acting Director, Mr William Shereni, yesterday said the suspension was with immediate effect.
“Products that have been fully processed to inactivate the FMD virus, including pasteurised dairy products, heat-treated processed meat, casings, trophies, wool, hides and skins, pharmaceuticals, animal feeds and pet food are, however, exempted from the suspension,” he said.
FMD is a transboundary disease that can spread through mixing of animals.
Last year Zimbabwe experienced FMD outbreaks in December after cattle mixed with infected buffaloes.
The Livestock and Vet Services Department needs more than US$35 million for erection of 4 000 kilometres of game and veterinary cattle fencing around major game parks to prevent spread of FMD.
Reports from South Africa indicate that officials in KwaZulu-Natal are struggling to contain their first major outbreak of FMD in more than a decade.
The outbreak was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in early March.
The World Organisation for Animal Health has temporarily suspended South Africa’s FMD-free international status, forcing it to ban all exports of potentially infected animal products.
FMD is highly contagious and affects animals like cattle, sheep and goats.
It is characterised by lesions, high fever and lameness.
While seldom fatal in adult animals, the disease can cause sudden death among young animals, seriously hampering production and compromising the future of herds, according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation.
It does not affect humans.