An announcement by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development that livestock auctions in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West have been suspended until further notice has drawn strong criticism.
The move, which follows an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Molemole district of Limpopo, is “a tough blow to the livestock and game farmers in the country, who have already been brought to their knees by the disastrous drought,” says Henk van de Graaf, the regional chairman of TLU SA North, an association representing farmers.
“The selling of livestock was the only existing solution for farmers who don’t have feed for their animals anymore. Now this avenue is also closed off.”
TLU SA realises that serious action is needed to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease, but is not convinced that the banning of auctions is the solution, says van de Graaf. The government should rather ensure that original preventative measures are strictly followed and implemented.
“The ban on auctions also holds serious consequences for the consumer, especially with the festive season around the corner,” says Van de Graaf. “Consumers should prepare themselves for a drastic increase in the price of meat and meat products. Meat will also become very scarce.”
He says TLU SA will create a database of buyers and sellers of meat that will give farmers the opportunity to sell their foot and mouth disease-free meat. “TLU SA is also looking into direct internet sales of healthy and disease-free animals to support farmers,” he says.
