DVS yet to clear Tutume of FMD
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday November 17, 2016 16:23
The ban was imposed recently after some buffaloes were spotted in the Tutume area, with seven of them killed in the process. Buffaloes are chief spreaders of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which mainly affects cattle.
DVS said the ban has been imposed to conduct investigations of possible FMD infection in the area. The investigation will include testing of the seven buffaloes for possible FMD before the area is cleared if the tests come out negative.
“Nothing has changed with regard to the ban. I am not certain when the ban will be lifted,” said the Agriculture ministry spokesperson Boikhutso Rabasha yesterday by telephone.
She did not offer any clue as to when tests on the seven buffaloes killed will be concluded apart from saying that expert teams are on the ground conducting the tests.
It was feared that the temporary ban on the movement from Tutume will affect cattle farmers who supply the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) abattoir in Francistown with cattle for the lucrative European Union (EU) market.
However, yesterday Tonota, Tutume, Masunga (TOTUMA) farmers’ association chairperson Priscilla Monthe said some farmers within the association are yet to feel the impact of the ban.
“Last week we had a workshop and from our interactions, there was no sign of any significant impact that has been felt by cattle farmers within our association. Maybe those who are not our members have felt the impact of the ban,” said Monthe.
She added that the impact may begin to be felt if the ban was prolonged.
The DVS has indicated that the movement of cloven-hoofed animals into and out of the 6a and 3c zones, which cover the Tutume extension area, is not allowed except for direct slaughter. The zone 6a and 3c fall within the green zone, which supplies cattle to the lucrative EU market. Usually, when FMD is identified in an area that supplies to the EU market, such area is banned from serving the market until it is declared FMD free.
Meanwhile, the movement of fresh products including boerwors, mincemeat, sawdust derived from cloven-hoofed animals, is also not allowed out of the veterinary disease control area 6a and 3c. The DVS has not placed a movement restriction on all processed ready-to-eat products such as sour milk, dry salted biltong, cheese butter and yoghurt among others.
Last Friday, officials on the ground suggested the threat of FMD could be a hollow one.