Foot-and-mouth hits red meat

KWAZULU-NATAL: VIRUS DETECTED IN SIX DIP TANKS

- Masoka Dube

The foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak is continuing to affect meat producers. This is according to the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO), which was reacting to the authorities' confirmation that recently FMD virus was detected in six dip tanks in KwaZulu-Natal, including districts around Vryheid, Newcastle and Mtubatuba.

RPO second vice-chair Angus Williamson said: "The affected areas are put under quarantine, as well as a vaccination programme is rolled out. The financial implications are that the producers are limited with regards to the marketing of livestock.

"However, it is still safe to consume red meat as long as it is sourced from a reputable outlet. Since 2021, the knock-on effect has affected many livestock farmers and jobs in the agricultural sector."