Motion Aray
There has been mounting push-back to the decision by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, to suspend all movement of cattle in the country.
The Department announced the decision, which has yet to be gazetted, on Monday, aimed at halting the continued spread of Foot and Mouth Disease.
The exception will only be upon veterinary permit for cattle for direct slaughter at registered abattoirs and slaughter for ritual purposes
"Cattle that are already at shows, auctions and en-route into the republic will be given 48 hours to be permitted to move to the final destination after being sold, the local state veterinary office should be contacted for these permits," said Minister Didiza
ActionSA has called on the Minister to reverse the ban, saying the decision was a knee-jerk reaction and should be revoked.
The party's Eastern Cape chairperson, Athol Trolllip called on all affected stakeholders to come up with a coherent and sustainable action plan to scientifically rid the country of a destructive, but controllable disease.
He says it threatens to destroy the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and farm workers.
Meanwhile, Agri Eastern Cape says it will comment once the ban has been gazetted.
The organisation's manager of natural resources and economics, Gunther Pretorius, told Algoa FM News that the issue was not well thought through.
"In terms of the Red Cross permit system, animals travelling from one destination to another need to be signed off and with the number of state vets we have in the province, this will not be possible", he said.
Pretorius says there is also still a grey area regarding this suspension because if the Gazette is not published nothing can be proven.
He says the ban will also impact the wool market because exports are not allowed.
