Mozambique: Ban on entry of South African livestock

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Mozambique: Ban on entry of South African livestock

10:36 CAT | 14 Nov 2019

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The Mozambican Ministry of Agriculture has banned, as from Tuesday, the entry of hoofed animals, such as cattle, goats, sheep and pigs, from South Africa, because of a recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the South African province of Limpopo.

The government spokesperson, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ana Comoana, announced the ban to reporters after the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet).

In the light of the South African outbreak, “the Ministry of Agriculture has taken the due precautions”, said Comoana. These include stepped up livestock inspection measures, particularly in areas near the South African border.

Mozambique is following in the footsteps of Zimbabwe which last Friday banned the import of South African beef, pork and meat from other hoofed animals.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease of hoofed animals, both wild and domestic. High mortality rates are common among young animals, and in some herds mortality rates have been known to reach 100 per cent.

Even after the host animal is dead, the virus can survive, particularly in the bone marrow. In some countries, farmers are obliged to slaughter animals infected by foot and mouth and incinerate the bodies.