Gov’t softens stance on destroying FMD cattle

Peanuts: Some farmers in Zone 6b expressed outrage about the compensation saying that it was very low PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Peanuts: Some farmers in Zone 6b expressed outrage about the compensation saying that it was very low PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

FRANCISTOWN: The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has softened its stance on destroying without compensation any stray cattle found in Zone 6b following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the zone last year in August.

On June 7, MoA released a statement entitled, “The cattle depopulation exercise in the containment Zone 6b ends”. The press release told farmers in the zone that the cattle registration and collection exercise is expected to be completed by June 13, 2023. “After June 13, farmers will be given 14 days’ notice elapsing on June 27 to bring all cattle that may be remaining.

This is in accordance with the Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 12 of 2023 published in the Government Gazette of February 2023. All cattle that remain unaccounted for in the containment zone at the end of notice period shall be destroyed in order to enable the completion of the depopulation exercise,” said the release.

Editor's Comment
Bravo police for prompt action

It is also hurting that whilst we all know that the Botswana Police Service (BPS) is charged functionally with the duties to investigate all forms of crime, some locals have resorted to taking the law into their own hands. It is very wrong to do that. There is also a possibility that one may wrongfully take the life of a person in the process, unless it is a justifiable case of self-defence. Recently, in the city of Francistown, some locals found...

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