By Amy Musgrave
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen is concerned about the slow pace by his department to combat the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in KwaZulu-Natal.
He has ordered officials from the Agriculture Department to explore declaring a state of disaster in the province.
“This lack of sufficient action is jeopardising farmers’ livelihoods, the agricultural industry and the economy. This needs to stop. Immediately,” Steenhuisen said on Wednesday.
Many farmers and community leaders told the minister during a recent visit to the province that the department was not effectively addressing the outbreak.
KwaZulu-Natal has been grappling with 147 active FMD outbreaks, and despite ongoing efforts by the department, new infections emerged outside designated Disease Management Areas (DMA) that were declared in 2021 when outbreaks of the SAT2 FMD strain first emerged in the province.
Steenhuisen extended the DMA boundaries last month to curb the spread of the disease.
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
