Experts welcome rapid response to foot-and-mouth outbreaks in E Cape

Experts say the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks have been a major challenge, particularly in the Eastern Cape. They

have welcomed the establishment of a rapid response team to deal with disease outbreaks.

The team which consists of seven government and industry experts has been mandated to help to strengthen the government’s capacity to deal with the outbreaks.

Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa Wandile Sihobo says the outbreaks of the disease threaten the country’s efforts to re-establish and grow its market share in the global red meat export market.

“So far, we have excellent access to markets such as Saudi Arabia which we recently reopened, some in the Middle East that are opening up and in the African continent. But a continuation of these outbreaks does mean that for certain periods, South Africa could be blocked out of the export markets. And of course, that then presents a number of challenges because it could take some time before some of the markets are cleared.”

Foot-and-Mouth | Creation of rapid response team anticipated to enhance surveillance of disease

The Department of Agriculture has reiterated the call for farmers to observe biosecurity on their farms. According to officials, the situation appears to be improving. This comes as the rate of new cases has begun to decline, with the last clinical case reported in mid-July.

In total, over 92 000 cattle and nearly 600 sheep across 67 farms have been vaccinated.

The department says the affected animals were vaccinated and the farms placed under quarantine