KZN’s FMD control fence well under way – DAFF

Construction of the 108km fence line separating northern Zululand’s foot-and mouth disease (FMD) control zone from the FMD-free parts of South Africa was reportedly under way and on track, according to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ (DAFF) animal health division.

KZN’s FMD control fence well under way – DAFF
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Sections of the livestock sector had raised concerns that a recently concluded inspection of the country’s FMD control measures by the World Organisation for Animal Health might find these controls lacking, and that its FMD-free status might be revoked.

“The construction of the FMD line is on track and within schedule,” said Dr Mpho Maja, director for animal health at DAFF. “It’s important to note that the process to rehabilitate this fence started with extensive community engagement
and facilitation. This ensures that the purpose of the fence line is well-understood by those affected.”

Northern Zululand’s fence line would run, roughly, from the Lebombo mountains in the Ingwavuma area in the west,
along the Ingwavuma river, up to a point of district road P522, and northwards along the P522 to the Sileza Forest Nature Reserve and Indian Ocean in the east, she said.

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“In addition to the construction of the FMD red line in this area, 116 615 cattle have been ear-tagged in the protection zone and high surveillance area of KwaZulu-Natal, as part of the FMD control measures in the area,” Maja said. 

Meanwhile the department said in a statement that the OIE inspection team which visited the country last month was “encouraged” by the progress on the fence and the animal identification. The team was concerned about the visibility of the line separating the FMD free and non-free zones and the lack of an FMD vaccine, DAFF said.