This comes after investigations were done on three farms following suspicious movements of cattle from the North West and Gauteng Provinces. Tests conducted on two farms in Viljoenskroon have confirmed only one positive case. The other farm where samples were taken, tested negative. The farms have, however, been placed under quarantine. A third farm is being investigated in the town of Frankfort, following the procurement of calves from a speculator in Randfontein.

Farmers in the Free State who have moved or bought animals from other provinces within the past 14 to 28 days, and are seeing symptoms of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) among their cattle, such as profuse salivation, difficulty walking, legions and blisters in the mouth and feet, should report them to their nearest state vet. This is the request of Dr. Kristan Mojapelo from the Department of Agriculture in the Free State.

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China recently announced a ban on the import of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from South Africa, due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the country. Deon Simon, General Manager of Cape Wools SA, shares that the South African wool industry produces about 45 million kilograms of wool annually, and of that, 80% is exported to China – making it the biggest trading partner with South Africa when it comes to wool. He says the South African wool clip generates some R6 billion of export revenue annually. Simon adds that they are engaging with China as well as the relevant officials within the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in a bid to try and get the Chinese government to lift the ban on wool imports from South Africa.

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