SA livestock industry responsible for national herd’s health status

The responsibility of the health status of SA’s livestock herd rests with the industry at large, SA’s director for animal health, Dr Mpho Maja said at the recent National Red Meat Producers’ Organisation congress in Bloemfontein.

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“Bio-security on your farms is your responsibility,” Maja said. “The onus rests on all role players to be responsible livestock farmers, buyers and sellers.”

Maja was particularly concerned about the lack of control that led to the increase in bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis, zoonotic diseases which can be transmitted to humans. “I won’t go as far as who is to blame. The fact of the matter is that we have to beef up the control to ensure healthy meat to consumers,” said Maja.