Abattoirs closed as FMD scare hits Ngami
Boniface Keakabetse | Friday September 22, 2017 15:58
The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is still awaiting scientific verification whether the case is FMD. This comes just after DVS announced having broken record of FMD vaccinations in the district in 2017.
The case was discovered on Wednesday on beasts from Namanyane cattle post during inspections by Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), who were buying cattle for slaughter at the Maun abattoir. Addressing North West District Councilors yesterday, Ralotsia explained that it is two years since the last FMD case was discovered in Ngamiland. “We had hope the situation was stabilising. This came as a shock,” he said.
Ralotsia explained that DVS has imposed cattle movement restrictions in the entire Ngamiland and out of Ngamiland to control the spread of the potential scourge.
He said the Maun abattoir and the private Ngami abattoir have been closed down. Moreover, he said beef exports from Maun abattoir to overseas markets have also been suspended. He said beef consignment sent to Mozambique from Maun abattoir is in Beira in Mozambique explaining that it will be returned to Botswana. He said BMC found markets in Mozambique, Kuwait and Vietnam saying the markets are now in limbo.
Councilors expressed shock at the FMD return. Councillor for Boyei Kebonyekgotla Ntlogelang called on government to institute criminal charges on all farmers who fail to vaccinate their cattle saying there are responsible for the FMD spread.
He also called for establishment of data base to monitor all farmers bringing cattle for vaccination so that action can be taken on all those that fail to bring forward their cattle. “Failing to bring cattle for vaccination is an economic crime as that put the entire district and whole country in danger. Action must be taken on all the absconders.”
Specially nominated councillor Reaboka Mbulawa called on the civic leaders to encourage farmers to be united in the eradication of FMD in the district. Councillors blamed the rampant FMD outbreaks on the poor buffalo fence maintenance which separates cattle from wildlife. Responding to the latest scare, the chairman of Ngamiland Farmers Association Simon Bojosi said the FMD resurgence would devastate farmers and cattle industry in the district.
He however lambasted government for imposing a blanket ban on cattle movements in the entire district. “They should impose the ban only at 2C zone where there is a suspected case not the entire district because this will lead to beef crises,” he said.