The Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka has announced that government will soon embark on an exercise of vaccinating cattle in a bid to contain the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
The minister disclosed this during a stakeholder meeting held at the Manzini Veterinary Services Offices
Tshawuka highlighted that the country was currently overwhelmed by the FMD and that government was trying everything within their means to manage it.
He mentioned that government was in conversation with her trading partners, including the EU to share their efforts in fighting with the disease and how they would make an application and follow all the due process that need to be followed in order for the country to be able to start trading internationally.
The minister said the immediate action was to fast-track the vaccination programme.
He highlighted that they were sourcing vaccines from Botswana, adding that the supplier had assured them that they would receive the first batch on June 18.
“The red zones with the cattle to be vaccinated have already been demarcated along what is called a buffer zone, which must also be vaccinated together with the sanitary areas, across which the disease would have to go through,” he said.
The minister highlighted that they were aware that some farmers might have access to the vaccines, something he said they discouraged in the strongest form.
He appealed to the farmers to allow government the task of vaccinating the cattle.
“Once the vaccine gets into the country, it will be in hands of government and it will be veterinary officials who carry out the vaccination exercise and not individuals. This will help us keep track,” he said.
The minister appealed for support from farmers, business owners and all relevant stakeholder.
He mentioned that it was also important for them to share ideas on how they could mitigate FMD.
