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The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit questions for written response on the state of the red line and red zones to keep foot-and-mouth disease in check to both the  Limpopo Legislature as well as the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

During an oversight visit with the Agriculture portfolio committee last week in the Vhembe district near the National Kruger Park fence, the DA witnessed the dilapidated state of the red line as well as non-functioning dipping stations within the red zone. (See photos here ,here and here)

Although the increase in the budget for the Department of Agriculture for Programme 4: Veterinary Services was utilised for vaccines and dipping cattle, the porous  red line and broken fences allow foot-and-mouth (FMD) carriers to move out and mingle with cattle, spreading the disease.

Delays in procuring vaccines from Botswana is a concern and directly affect the prevention of FMD in the province.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) does not maintain the Kruger National Park’s fence surrounding Matiane Village.

Fence breakages by elephants allow buffaloes and other FMD carriers to spread the highly contagious disease when these animals mingle with cattle.

The dipping tank facility at Mavambe Village was overgrown, a clear indication that it was hardly utilized despite the latest outbreak of FMD earlier this year. During the oversight it was evident that the Muhuyu dipping tank was just being repaired/ maintained and not being utilised.

Engagements with farmers revealed that the Shakadza dipping tanks were last utilised for bi-weekly dipping of cattle in 2012 and the borehole was also not functioning, and that the dipping tank was repaired just prior to the oversight.

The red line in Lambani is non-existent and it is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture to mandate Public Works to erect a fence and maintain it, however the departments are shifting this responsibility.

The DA is further concerned that the high number of vacancies in animal technicians responsible for disease control has not yet been filled and we believe that this attributes to the FMD outbreaks.

It is clear that the lack of cohesion between the relevant departments creates a threat of continuous FMD outbreaks, which can be avoided if the fences of the Kruger Park’s fences and the red line fences are maintained.

The lack of bio-security control measures is threatening our agricultural industry as a whole, which includes game farming and this is a huge cause for concern.

A well-regulated and controlled red meat industry in Limpopo has huge export potential, which in turn will be a catalyst to job creation and prosperity for all our farmers.

We call on the MEC for Agriculture, Nandi Ndalane, to fill all animal technician vacancies and to implement a collaborative effort between all departments and stakeholders to prevent any FMD outside the red zone to ensure continued growth in the red meat and related industries.

Issued by Acting Provincial Spokesperson for Agriculture & Rural Development, Katlego Suzan Phala MPL