Published by the government of Zimbabwe
6 July 2009
Harare — THE Department of Veterinary Services requires more than US$20 million for the rehabilitation of the Foot and Mouth cordon fences around major game parks in the country.
The fence, which spans a total of nearly 1600km, is erected as a strategy for the control of major transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases in which wildlife play a part.
Chief among these diseases is Foot and Mouth (FMD). The fence acts as a barrier limiting contact between game and livestock, especially cattle.
Veterinary Field Services Director, Dr Unesu Ushewokunze-Obatolu said the zones described by these fences enabled them to define, through continuous surveillance, disease-endemic from disease-free areas.
"Disease freedom promotes vibrancy of the livestock industry by securing livestock against deaths and sub-optimal productivity.
"Definition of disease status results in the attainment of recognition by the World Animal Health Organisation, a prized position upon which assurances can be given in support of trade in animals and animal products," said Dr Ushewokunze-Obatolu.
Much of the confidence that surrounded the department's ability to export beef to lucrative overseas markets in the past depended to a great extent on such game cordon fences erected by the department or by private producers.
Unlike other countries on the continent, Zimbabwe has the advantage of already having clearly designated game reserves in the northern and southern lowveld. This provides an easier premise to build on.
The department is directly responsible for game cordon fences stretching from the border with Botswana along Hwange Game Park to Chizarira, Mkwichi, Doma towards the Zambezi Valley running West of Hunyani River.
Much of this stretch is, however, no longer intact due to various factors and livestock is thus exposed to contagious disease risks that may emanate from game. According to Dr Ushewokunze-Obatolu, natural fences deteriorate as a result of wear and tear, destruction by large game especially elephants, activities of game poachers and vandalism by communities who fail to appreciate the broader economic implications and instead remove game fences for other purposes.
The department employs staff in the field to patrol fence lines and repair broken fences on an on-going basis. Dr Ushewokunze-Obatolu attributed the Department's failure to maintain and rehabilitate the fences to inadequate financing.
"Fiscal under-provision has in recent years resulted in failure to meet the need for repair and maintenance work, which depends on ability to remain mobile, feed and maintain staff in the field as well as procure needed supplies," said Dr Ushewokunze-Obatolu. A project, which had been designed under Sadc to ensure that control of FMD is sustained, failed to deliver.
It is believed this was partly due to the sanctions regime that prevailed. "It is unfortunate that the project, while having been designed essentially for this purpose, did not deliver anything significant. Successful prevention or control of highly contagious diseases like FMD depends on regional harmonisation of control measures. An uncontrolled outbreak in Zimbabwe can easily spread to other territories", Dr Ushewokunze-Obatolu added.
The erection of the fences, is therefore, also in line with regional and international cooperation to harmonise control of FMD. Public awareness and extension programmes by the Department help to keep the public informed about good farming practices in animal health, including the value of the game fences in safeguarding livestock.
With about 350 animal management and health centres and an establishment of about 1200 veterinary extension officers, coverage is defeated by challenges in transport and communication for these outreach services.
A large proportion of the staff still require specific training in veterinary extension for effective dissemination of correct messages.
"Knowledgeable farmers are important for the success of disease control programmes. We may not need to conduct patrols, if farmers know the importance of fences and participate in their upkeep," Dr Ushewokunze-Obatolu said.
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