This is according to Peter Evans, a veterinarian and head of consumer insurance at the South African Pork Producers' Organisation (Savpo). Evans says farmers need to understand the spread of the virus in order to prevent it. This comes after the deadly disease for pigs was initially reported in North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and now in the Free State. Evans says the outbreak in the Free State is, however, under control, especially in rural communities and on small scale farms. He says there are no outbreaks on commercial pig farms at this stage. As a control measure, there has been a general ban on auctions of pigs in the affected areas.

AND

The State Capture Commission of Inquiry heard this week that the Free State Department of Agriculture made so-called suspect resolutions in support of the Vrede Dairy farm project in 2012 that directly contravened standard protocol. This is according to Moses Moremi, former Phumelela Municipal Manager. According to Moremi, the Free State Department of Agriculture made an impromptu presentation during a council sitting - a presentation which was not on the official agenda - and then also failed to supply Moremi and others with the necessary documentation. The Department's presentation was in support of the Vrede Dairy Project to be leased to Estina, a company linked to the controversial Gupta family. Moremi explains how the Free State Department of Agriculture sidestepped protocol.

OFM News/Christal-Lize Muller and Vernon Baumann