Dr Botlhe Modisane, technical spokesperson of the department, says South Africa's global trade status is being threatened after the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) suspended South Africa's status as a foot-and mouth disease free zone. The suspension followed after a FMD outbreak in the Vhembe district in Limpopo in January this year. He says the country was working towards retrieving its status by early next year which is now difficult following the recent outbreak.

Farmers from two separate farming projects in Limpopo are expected to receive farming implements from government today. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Mcebisi Skwatsha, are visiting the  Mahlohomolo Project and Bela Bela Communal Property Association in Bonwaphala. The visit forms part of the build-up activities towards the Waterberg Presidential District Development Model-Khawuleza. This in an effort by government to refocus on sharpening and strengthening cooperative governance and implement a coherent national programme of action in the form of this model. The model seeks to secure maximum coordination and cooperation among the national, provincial and local spheres of government. Skwatsha will host a stakeholder engagement with farmers from the district on service delivery and in line with the planting season, they will receive farming implements.

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The African Farmers Association of South Africa, Afasa, appeals to livestock owners and farmers to assist in speedily clamping down on the further spreading of foot-and-mouth disease in the country. This comes after the recent outbreak in Limpopo which affects five farms of which most are feedlots. Neo Masithela, national chairperson of Afasa, says farmers need to comply with the recommendations made by die Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, and restricted movement of cloven-hooved livestock. He says the further spread of the disease could be detrimental to the industry and have a negative socio-economic impact on those directly affected, especially rural livestock owners who depend on livestock for their income. Masithela says Afasa is working with stakeholders and has informed all its leaders at local and district municipal levels, as well as provincial levels, to ensure farmers stay alert and report any suspicions regarding the disease to the relevant authorities.

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