KZN’s R134.3m funding aims to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease

THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has allocated R134.3 million to support livestock improvement, particularly mitigating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

- THOBEKA NGEMA

MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa made the announcement during her 2025/26 budget vote in the KZN legislature this week.

KaMadlopha-Mthethwa stated that mandatory veterinary services for clients will be enhanced in the current financial year to ensure healthy animals, sustainable and profitable animal production enterprises, safe trade in animals and products of animal origin, and the well-being of animals and the public.

She said seven new outbreaks were reported in KZN in February and March this year, bringing the total number of outbreaks in the province to 164.

As a result, the national Cabinet supported extending KZN’s Disease Management Area (DMA) boundaries to curb further FMD outbreaks. The areas include Big Five Hlabisa, Mtubatuba, Nongoma, Ulundi, uMhlabuyalingana, Jozini, Pongola, Abaqulusi, Mfolozi, uMhlathuze, Mthonjaneni, Nqutu, Nkandla, uMlalazi, and Mandeni municipalities.