The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo Senior Business Reporter
THE Government has set sights at channelling more resources towards animal disease surveillance and control as it seeks to resume exports to the European Union market as well as exploring the potential lucrative Asian market. In his 2016 national budget statement, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced that this year livestock farmers had to contend with animal diseases, which are a major threat to productivity and competitiveness of the livestock sector going into next year.
“During the 2014/2015 season, the cattle herd was under immense pressure caused by the epidemic of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which continued to spread as a result of increased mixing of wildlife and cattle, as cattle moved wider in search of water, owing to the dry spells experienced during the season,” he said.
Six out of the 10 provinces were affected by the disease, leading to disruption of commercial activities involving cattle and other livestock products.
“Under difficult financial challenges, the Government managed to contain the spread of the disease by vaccinating cattle in the affected and neighbouring areas, with a total of 450 000 cattle having been vaccinated, whilst over 600 000 cattle have been inspected to date,” Minister Chinamasa said.
He said quarantine zones have also been instituted around infected areas to restrict movement of the outbreak into new areas. Movement of cattle has also been banned, as well as exhibition of livestock at the country’s agriculture shows.
“Going forward, capacitating of veterinary services and its disease prevention and control programme will be key in enhancing efficiency of production, processing and distribution of animal-source products, as well as contributing to human health.
“Surveillance measures, strict movement controls and intensive awareness campaigns will continue to reduce the spread of the disease,” Minister Chinamasa said.
He said the Government should fund the installation of animal controlling fencing while commercial farmers would be required to ensure that all their farms are enclosed so as to control the movement of their livestock.
“I propose that more investments be made in support of veterinary control fencing. In this regard, all A1 and A2 farmers will be called upon to invest in their farm boundary fences, not just to control spread of diseases, but also to avoid road accidents, particularly those resettled farmers along our major highways.
“This will be complemented by fencing off of all National Parks, not only for disease control, but to avoid crop destruction and other problems in settled areas. I, therefore, propose availing US$2,3 million in 2016 towards procurement of vaccines to control and contain the endemic diseases,” Minister Chinamasa said.
He said cooperating partners have also indicated their support in this area with the intervention being complemented by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund through provision of resources amounting to US$10,8 million, which would support the rehabilitation of livestock infrastructure, training and provision of extension services as well as strengthening of the institutional and regulation framework.
“. . . animal disease control measures are also pertinent to our eventual ability to access beef export markets, particularly the EU and Middle East markets, which rests on the progress we make with regards to animal disease surveillance and control.
“Compliance with veterinary requirements and guidelines over livestock movements is also essential in this matter. It will also be necessary that we strengthen our strategies to encourage livestock exports,” Minister Chinamasa said.
EU banned Zimbabwean beef exports in August 2001 after a foot and mouth disease outbreak.
“The reason why Zimbabwe was suspended to trade with the EU was that it was no longer able to control diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease fully and if Government is trying to put these controlling measures it’s a really noble decision. If that can be done it’s a question of inviting EU to come and validate that and once they are happy we will certainly be readmitted.
“Our re-admittance to trade with EU can open up for other markets because in any case these markets make reference to the EU standards and requirements. But this is subject to the system being able to sustain manned roadblocks on a 24-hour basis. Secondly, to have physical fences to the effect of controlling movement of livestock and thirdly the issue of a laboratory that supports the diagnosis and checking of diseases,” said renowned livestock production and management expert, Dr Ronny Sibanda of Dial-Honour Consultancy.
The Department of Veterinary Services director of field veterinary services, Dr Josphat Nyika praised the efforts being done by Government towards improving disease surveillance and control stating that it would go a long way towards improving the country’s livestock sector.
“Of course the Government has been giving us some money like any other sector but it has been insufficient but we are looking forward to receiving the fund which we have been promised by the Finance (and Economic Development) Minister (Chinamasa) as it will enable us to embark in effective disease prevention and control.
“We receive the news with open arms. It’s very positive and we are very delighted to that effect. We also intend to improve trade firstly nationally, then regionally and thereafter internationally. Exports are very important because that’s what the country needs to turnaround its economy . . . ,” Dr Nyika said.
