The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development has confirmed that a suspect has been arrested for contributing to the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Limpopo province.
“The police have arrested a Molemole farmer and auctioneer who has taken infected animals in one place and moved them to areas where animals were not infected,” said Reggie Ngcobo, the department’s media liaison officer.
According to the department, most of the positive locations were found through continued trace-forward and trace-back investigations of the outbreak.
“This means that all premises with links to known positive locations and specific auctions are followed up and tested. More than 130 points were identified and precautionary quarantine has been lifted on 57 properties that have been proven negative for FMD after clinical examination and testing.”
Ngcobo also confirmed that one abattoir had been designated so far and three affected feedlots had been approved to proceed with the early slaughter of animals, provided that the animals are not showing active signs of the disease.
“We are hoping that the nationwide ban will be lifted after this arrest. This is not the first time the disease has surfaced but this time around it has taken longer to contain. The suspect has been released on bail with strict conditions and is set to appear in court next month,” said Ngcobo. - Zoë van Rooyen
Reggie Ngcobo talks about the recent arrest. Click on the link below to listen.
