The Western Cape Government (WCG) wants national Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to impose a temporary ban on livestock transport into the Western Cape.
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Premier Alan Winde stated that he has asked Agriculture and Economic Development MEC Dr Ivan Meyer to promptly write to Steenhuisen asking for a temporary ban to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Western Cape.
Meyer accompanied state veterinarians from the province’s Beaufort West State Veterinarian Office at the local weigh-bridge on Tuesday to assess livestock transport vehicles passing through town.
Meyer commented on the operation, stating that biosecurity posed a significant risk to the agriculture sector and the province’s economy.
‘The initiative is about showing my support for the steps taken by our state vets and the red meat industry to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to the Western Cape.’
‘Given the threat that FMD poses to the cattle industry, livestock owners must remain vigilant, step up their biosecurity measures and take all possible precautions to avoid introducing the disease to our province,’ continued Meyer.
Meyer stated that the expansion of FMD is a threat to the cattle industry, the agricultural economy, and jobs in the sector. He stated that the red meat industry is one of the fastest-expanding industries in South Africa’s agriculture sector.
The red meat business provides approximately R70 billion to the country’s economy each year and employs over 600 000 people.
In 2023, South Africa exported R4.7 billion in red meat globally, with the Western Cape accounting for 14% (R6 million).
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‘We must work together to enforce biosecurity preventative measures regarding the movement of cattle, sheep and goats within areas outside FMD disease management areas including the Western Cape so that our farmers’ and workers’ livelihoods are not endangered.’
‘I have also requested our state veterinarians to strictly enforce the current biosecurity measure and where possible explore further interventions that could strengthen our current operations,’ he said.
Winde said: ‘Following a discussion in the Western Cape Cabinet meeting, I have requested that MEC Meyer urgently write to the Agriculture Minister requesting him to implement a temporary ban on the movement of livestock into the Western Cape.’
‘I have also asked Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku to please provide additional support to our colleagues in agriculture in these critical operations,’ said Winde.
‘Supported by the Western Cape Traffic Services officials, our state veterinarians can check livestock consignments for the correct documents, which include information regarding the origin, health status and destination of animals,’ said Meyer.
Winde stated that the WCG will continue to monitor the situation and determine whether any additional precautions are required to prevent the disease from spreading.
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Picture: Murray Swart