Western Cape Government Seeks Temporary Livestock Movement Ban to Combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease

In a decisive move to prevent the infiltration of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) into the Western Cape, the provincial government has called for a temporary ban on livestock movement into the area. Premier Alan Winde has directed Agriculture and Economic Development MEC Dr. Ivan Meyer to formally request the intervention from national Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen.

This request comes amidst apprehensions about FMD's potential harm to the local cattle industry and the broader agricultural economy, which employs more than 600,000 individuals and injects over R70 billion annually into South Africa's economy. In 2022, the Western Cape made a substantial contribution of R6 million to the R4.7bn worth of red meat exported from the country.

During a field inspection alongside state veterinarians at Beaufort West's local weighbridge, Dr. Meyer emphasized the significance of such measures. "The initiative is about showing my support for the steps taken by our state vets and the red meat industry to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to the Western Cape,” he explained.

To reinforce these preventive measures, Dr. Meyer is set to collaborate with his Eastern Cape counterpart, MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe, ensuring stringent biosecurity standards that were originally established in Government Gazette notice 47263 from October 2022.

The Western Cape's strategy involves not only curbing the entry of possibly afflicted livestock but also enhancing inspections by state veterinarians with the support of the Western Cape Traffic Services. These inspections are vital for verifying animal health status and validating documentation denoting their origin and destined location.

Premier Winde emphasized the gravity of the situation and the necessity for interdepartmental cooperation. The request for Minister Steenhuisen's intervention was made post-discussions in the Western Cape Cabinet meeting, reflecting the provincial consensus on the seriousness of the threat posed by FMD.

Additionally, Winde tasked Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku with coordinating extra support for the agricultural operations during this critical time. The collective efforts of the provincial government showcase their commitment to safeguarding not only the agricultural sector but also the livelihoods that depend on it.

As the situation unfolds, the Western Cape Government pledges to monitor developments and is prepared to take further action as needed to maintain the health of its cattle industry and prevent any possible spread of the disease.