The Zambia National Farmers Union – ZNFU says government has banned the slaughtering and movement of all cloven hoofed animals and their carcasses out of Monze and Pemba district in April 2019. This is due to the Foot and Mouth disease found in animals in Monze similar to the one found and contained in Chisamba East.
The movement of all cloven hoofed animals from Southern Province have also been suspended until further notice. Only animals slaughtered in district abattoirs other than Monze and Pemba will be allowed to move and transit through Monze in refrigerated trucks.
The Government Agro expert have outlined that movement is only permitted on conditions that such trucks must be sealed at the point of origin and the seal will only be removed at final destination in the presence of a qualified Veterinary Officer.
Further, seal numbers must be indicated on the Livestock Movement Permit, the movement Permit to be submitted to the Veterinary Officers at final destination. A record kept of all movement indicating source, quantity, product, destination and date must be indicated. Ante mortem and post mortem of meat inspections should be carried out by veterinary officials in all abattoirs.
ZNFU says Vaccination of cattle in Monze, Chisekesi, Pemba and surrounding areas against Foot and Mouth Disease – FMD has heightened with the task force unrelenting on meeting all bio-security protocols. ZNFU says government procured the vaccines from neighboring Botswana and has confirmed the FMD strain serotype from samples sent to Botswana and the United Kingdom.
More than 2 million animals were at risk of catching the disease in Southern Province but that the actions undertaken by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, through a taskforce led by the Monze District Commissioner Cyprian Hamanyanga are managing to put the disease under control.
