Kamogelo Olaitan
The 21-day nationwide ban on the movement of cattle has been lifted.
Minister of Agriculture Thoko Didiza introduced the ban three weeks ago, prohibiting farmers from moving cattle after a widespread outbreak of foot and mouth disease in six provinces.
In a statement on Thursday morning, the department said the decision not to extend the ban was based on the progress that the state veterinary services made over the past three weeks.
“We will continue with surveillance and vaccination in these areas that still have active infections. We call upon farmers and communities to observe their health and protocols that have been put in place and refrain from illegal movement of cattle or animals,” the minister said.
Not a single case was reported in Western, Eastern and Northern Cape.
In Gauteng and North West there have been suspected cases around quarantined farms and no new cases were reported in Mpumalanga in the past week while there are still active cases in Limpopo and Free State.
All movement of cattle must still be accompanied by an undertaking to isolate the animals for at least 28 days before introducing them into the main herd.
On Friday Minister Didiza will host foot and mouth disease management and market access information day in Hlomela Village in Limpopo, one of the six provinces that was affected by the disease.
Image source: @DailyMaverick
