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Botswana: FMD Ban Lifted on Phikwe, Bobonong Areas
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
27 June 2008
Posted to the web 30 June 2008
Onalenna Modikwa
Gaborone
The Ministry of Agriculture has lifted, with immediate effect, the ban on the slaughter of cattle from the Bobonong and Selebi-Phikwe areas.
Cattle farmers in Zone 7 were banned from selling their beasts to the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) after the 2006 foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
According to a press release from the Department of Veterinary issued in Gaborone yesterday, the ban has been lifted after the successful control of FMD in the area but the cattle will however be sold during the non-European Union (EU) slaughter period after going through 21 days quarantine period at designated quarantine camps. It is anticipated that the first consignment of cattle from Zone 7 area will be in September after the ongoing EU slaughter.
Details on how the logistics of entering cattle into quarantines and their transportation to Francistown BMC abattoir will be communicated to farmers and the public in due course. "All other restrictions remain in place until further notice and cattle in Mahalapye area are now also allowed to be slaughtered both in Francistown and Lobatse abattoirs during the EU slaughter period and with quota from BMC." Farmers interviewed expressed delight at the lifting of the ban and stated that it is a result of their cooperation with the ministry from the date of the outbreak. Dialwa Masilompane, a farmer from Molalatau, said they are extremely happy in that they have been selling their cattle at unreasonably low prices to local butcheries and could not even afford to buy cattle feed to sustain them.
"The drought spell that had fallen on us has vanished, we will be able to pay school fees and meet other needs. We will now dedicate all our resources to feeding our cattle ahead of September so that we can make a reasonable profit and I hope none of us will ever sell to the local butcheries." Phillip Mabeana, on the other hand, attributes the success in controlling the disease in the area to the cooperation Bobirwa farmers have had with the government and the Ministry of Agriculture in particular. "Even farmers whose cattle were affected were very cooperative and adhered to all advice from the Ministry of Agriculture. Mabeana, who is also a member of the committee elected in Bobirwa soon after the FMD outbreak, said they succeeded through sensitizing farmers who in turn "adhered to every instruction".
Assistant Minister of Agriculture Shaw Kgathi said in an interview that he was also delighted at the cooperation farmers demonstrated during the outbreak of the disease as evidenced by the vast numbers of cattle taken for vaccination. "The response to the 2006 FMD outbreak in Bobirwa was very fast and a manifestation of hard work. The fact that the situation was brought under control within two years is very commendable." The Bobirwa MP added that this should inspire other farmers in areas like Ngamiland District that with cooperation success assured. Minister Kgathi however said concerned officials should not forget to call for vigilance because the possibility of reoccurrence is high in Bobirwa, given its closeness with Zimbabwe and the country's political instability that places the area at risk. He warned that the good news should not bring complacency but should be accepted with caution.
Sandy's Butchery official Irene Moshokgo said the lifting of the ban does not mean much to them because they have been trading well with farmers even when the BMC was accepting Zone 7 cattle. "We are thankful that the ban has been lifted to benefit those who prefer to sell to the BMC than to exploit them as butchery owners. Farmers should be at liberty to sell where they want.
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Some even approached my butchery preferring our prices compared to those of the BMC. They have the right of choice," he said.
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