Collective action needed to beat FMD, Gaolathe says

The call was made by Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe when addressing a kgotla meeting earlier today following the confirmation of the outbreak of the disease in Jackalas No.1, North East District. The announcement prompted government to impose restrictions on animal movement and launch vaccination efforts with authorities working to determine the extent of the outbreak and its impact on local livestock. In his address, Gaolathe who is also the Finance Minister noted it was a devastating situation that requires unity and stakeholder engagement.

He emphasised that FMD is a dangerous disease that can destroy livelihoods while praising the community’s commitment to the fight. “The government does not have money unlike in the past,” he said, calling for unity and stakeholder engagement to address the challenge. He stated that the P97 million allocated to FMD was insufficient and appealed for everyone’s assistance.

Meanwhile, Gaolathe has warned Batswana against secrecy during FMD outbreaks, urging farmers to report early signs and follow the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture precautionary measures. The ban on animal movement is expected to be reviewed in two weeks, added Gaolathe. For his part, acting Director of Veterinary Services Dr Kobedi Segale, revealed that about 7,000 cattle have been vaccinated in Zones 6B and 3C.

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He was however concerned that some farmers are working against the restrictions to control the disease with reports that they are slaughtering cloven-hoofed animals despite the outbreak. A representative from the Botswana National Beef Producers Union (BNBPU), Andrew Seeletse, said they have acquired soda ash which will be distributed across affected regions to fight the spread of the disease. According to both the acting director of Veterinary Services, Kobedi Segale and acting Lands and Agriculture minister, Edwin Dikoloti, the virus currently raging through the North-East mostly likely first entered the country during the festive season.From the “unprecedented” number of cases picked in testing last week, it is likely that cattle and other livestock could have been infected last year, without being reported.Animal health…

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