Question NW3100 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

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29 September 2022 - NW3100

Profile picture: Breedt, Ms T

Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

With reference to the current Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) pandemic, what are the reasons for the large Disease Management Areas (DMAs) declared in the Free State, while the DMAs in provinces such as Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, where the FMD outbreak has not been brought under control yet, are still relatively small; (2) what are the reasons that (a) the restriction on the movement of cattle have been extended to include sheep and goats and (b) pigs have not been included in the restriction; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. The boundaries of all Disease Management Areas (DMAs) for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) were determined using a risk-based approach taking into account evidence of recent spread, in an effort to limit the negative effects of the disease as much as possible.

(2)(a) Cattle were mostly affected in the recent outbreaks and the movement of live cattle clearly poses the highest risk. The initial movement ban was thus limited to cattle in order to limit the negative effects on other sectors of the livestock industry. Since sheep were involved in some recent outbreaks, sheep and goats have now been included in the Gazette Notice of 8 September 2022.

(b) Pigs continue to be excluded in order to limit the economic impact on an industry that so far has not been affected by the outbreaks.

(3) No. The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will continue to update everyone if there is new information.

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