KZN monitoring livestock movement after outbreak of foot and mouth disease

KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi has imposed restrictions on the movement and trading of livestock in the Umkhanyakude district in the north of the province. This follows an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the area.

According to the department, over 1000 livestock has been affected.

Sithole-Moloi says they will be working together with law enforcement authorities to monitor the movement of animals to curb the spread of the disease to other parts of the province.

“We came here to enforce the restrictions and also to ensure that the movement is being restricted but the impact that has been seen is that we had a few dip tanks that have been affected previously. We’re in an understanding that we must cooperate with each other. We will not allow the movement until we are satisfied. Yes, when they see that there’s nobody in sight in the area, they feel that they can maneuver and sell to each other so we’re saying we are going to look at that, as well as beef up our team.”