AGRI LIMPOPO CALLS FOR URGENT AND DECISIVE ACTION ON FMD

AGRI LIMPOPO CALLS FOR URGENT AND DECISIVE ACTION ON FMD

Agri Limpopo expresses its extreme concern over the current outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Limpopo, its current consequences and future impacts.

The outbreak in Limpopo has the potential to collapse the entire red meat industry – unless urgent and decisive action is taken.

As Agri Limpopo we share the sentiment of Agri SA regarding the national banning of livestock auctions that –

• the banning of auctions will have a serious adverse economic impact on the agricultural sector,
• the decision to ban auctions can only be a short-term measure to contain the outbreak of FMD; and
• that the deficiencies and challenges faced by Government in mitigating and curtailing the outbreak must be acknowledged and resolved moving forward.

The ban comes at a time when farmers are grappling with a drought – thus exacerbating the difficult and trying times for the agricultural industry as a whole and specifically for red meat producers.

We do not believe that the current action of banning auctions goes far enough to mitigate and bring the current outbreak to an end.   We need far more comprehensive, decisive and urgent action.  We need –

• urgent policing interventions with regard to the transportation of animals;
• to protect areas in Limpopo that have not been affected; and
• to take decisive action regarding stray animals and animals feeding on road reserves.

We call upon all stakeholders in the sector, public and private, to work together for the common good of the red meat industry – to bring to and end the current outbreak of FMD and to put in place a local protocol to mitigate against future outbreaks.

Agri Limpopo will work closely with the relevant authorities and urges its Members to adhere to the necessary safety protocols.

ENQUIRIES:

PIET ENGELBRECHT (PRESIDENT) – 082 524 8924

DOUW PELSER (SAFETY & SECURITY)  – 082 820 5228

DEIDRE CARTER (CEO) – 082 831 9168