Foot-and-mouth danger

MEASURES: DISEASE SO FAR RESTRICTED TO KZN, EASTERN CAPE

- Masoka Dube

Farmers have been urged to adhere to quarantine measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that remains unresolved after it was reported last month.

This is the view of TLU SA chair Bennie van Zyl in his reaction to news that the outbreak remains unresolved in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

"We request that all role players stick to the quarantine measures and avoid transporting livestock to the affected areas, so that the spreading of the disease can be contained," said Van Zyl.

"If the outbreak becomes broader than what we are experiencing now, it will negatively affect the country's meat exports."

Department of agriculture spokesperson Joylene van Wyk confirmed that the outbreak persisted in the two provinces.

"The World Organisation for Animal Health has officially declared FMD outbreaks in all other previously affected provinces as resolved and closed," said Van Wyk.