FMD Lockdown: BCP Demands Opening of ‘Clean’ Cattle Areas

Sunday Standard

FMD Lockdown: BCP Demands Opening of ‘Clean’ Cattle Areas

Government’s fight against foot-and-mouth disease has been questioned as the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) demands that disease-free areas be reopened to livestock trade instead of remaining trapped under blanket movement restrictions.

BCP Shadow Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, says government’s own surveillance findings raise questions about why farmers in areas where no disease has been detected remain unable to sell cattle. Gobotswang’s comments come amid continued government efforts to contain FMD in parts of Botswana. The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture said in August that outbreaks in Zones 3C and 6B had been successfully suppressed and closed with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), although prevention measures remained in force in Zones 11 and 13.

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The post FMD Lockdown: BCP Demands Opening of ‘Clean’ Cattle Areas first appeared on Sunday Standard and is written by Portia Nkani