Staff Writer
The ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform has announced a partial lifting of restrictions imposed following the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the Karasburg Veterinary District of the //Kharas region.
The ministry says livestock that had moved from the infected farm to the Otjozondjupa region before the outbreak was detected have been traced and all tested negative for FMD, clearing the herd of infection.
Traceability and livestock inspections have also indicated that the disease remains confined to the //Kharas region, with no evidence of transmission risk to areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
As a result, the movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals and their products north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence have been lifted with immediate effect.
Movement of commodities such as cooked meat, pasteurised milk and butter from north to south may also resume, subject to the Animal Health Act.
However, restrictions remain on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and products such as meat, skin, unpasteurised milk, butter and kraal manure into areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
South of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, excluding //Kharas, restrictions on the movement of raw meat from registered facilities, purchased meat from retailers and butcheries, as well as baled grass, lucerne, straw, forage, hay, silage and crop residue, have also been lifted under specified conditions, including proof of the origin of these products.
The ministry further announced that the movement and trade of cooked processed meat products, pasteurised milk and its products, and hides processed up to wet-blue are now permitted countrywide.
Despite the partial lifting, the ministry has urged farmers and the public to remain vigilant and report suspected FMD symptoms to the nearest State Veterinary Office.
Photo: Contributed
#WindhoekObserver
