FMD threat escalates

The farmers in Outeniqualand are facing increasing uncertainty and anxiety following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on the district's doorstep.

- Alida de Beer

The threat of the disease spreading is adding to the pressure from the ongoing drought they already have to contend with.

The Outeniqualand Farmers' Association convened an emergency meeting on Monday evening, 9 February, after the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism had announced a suspected case of FMD on a dairy farm near Hartenbos on Sunday. An area with a 10km radius around the farm was placed under quarantine.