Non-compliance Fingered In Eastern Cape Fmd Flare-ups

Strict limits on the movement of cattle and the enforcement of a disease management area DMA are not preventing new flare-ups of foot-and-mouth disease FMD.

In its latest update on the outbreak, the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform says it has vaccinated 93 064 cattle and 635 sheep since the outbreak began in May.

Foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed on 33 farms in the area surrounding Humansdorp, and cattle on an additional 37 farms have been pre-emptively vaccinated to prevent the disease from spreading.

Farms that are either infected or vaccinated remain under quarantine, with animal movements restricted. Movements from these farms are only permitted with state veterinary approval for direct slaughter. Farm owners are also required to enforce strict biosecurity measures to prevent the disease from spreading via animals, vehicles, equipment, or people.

An FMD Disease Management Area DMA is in place in parts of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma Municipalities. The movement of animals into, through, within, or out of this area is strictly controlled and may only occur with state veterinary permission.

Farms must be inspected and tested, and declared free of the disease before any animals are allowed to move.

Despite these measures, there are indications that the virus persists in the affected areas, the department says in a statement.

Some farms previously infected have experienced flare-ups, and new infections have been identified on four farms located on or near the borders of the DMA. This raises concerns and demonstrates that movement restrictions and biosecurity protocols are not being fully adhered to.

Additionally, reports of illegal animal movements within the DMA have surfaced, which could lead to continued circulation and spread of the virus.

The department says continued non-compliance by some stakeholders puts the entire region and the country at risk. It is working with law enforcement to investigate these reports, and those found contravening the quarantine and DMA restrictions will face legal consequences. The public is encouraged to report any information regarding illegal movements or breaches of biosecurity.

In East London, the outbreak has been successfully contained, and animals on affected farms will undergo controlled slaughter at designated abattoirs, which ensures that FMD risk materials are properly processed or disposed of, and only safe products are released into the local market.

While meat from FMD-restricted farms cannot be exported due to certification constraints, it remains safe for human consumption.