LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Government through Ministry of Agriculture on Friday suspended imports and in- transit movement of all cloven hooved animals (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, etc) and all meat products from South Africa and other known infected countries due to outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Below is the brief statement signed by the ministry’s secretary Gray Nyandule Phiri , and made available to The Maravi Post;
SUSPENSION OF IMPORTS AND TRANSIT MOVEMENT OF CLOVEN HOOVED ANIMALS AND MEAT PRODUCTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND OTHER KNOWN FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE INFECTED COUNTRIES
The Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Water Development, wishes to inform the general public that it has with immediate effect suspended imports and in- transit movement of all cloven hooved animals (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, etc) and all meat products from South Africa and other known infected countries due to outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
FMD is highly contagious viral disease that mostly affects cattle and has significant negative socio-economic consequences if not timely controlled.
FMD is spread through any or all of the following:
- Infected animals newly introduced into a herd
- Contaminated pens, buildings or transport facilities
- Contaminated clothing, footwear or equipment
- Virus infected meat or other contaminated animal products.
Therefore, in order to protect the country’s herd and in conformity with the Control and Animal Diseases Act (Cap 66:02) and the World Animal Health organisation guidelines; the Ministry has instituted the following measures: 2
- Banned importation of all cloven hooved animals (cattle, goats, sheep and pigs) from the Republic of South Africa and other known infected countries.
- Restricted importation of animal products from all cloven hooved animals from South Africa and other known infected countries
- Temporarily suspended issuance of livestock movement permits on such imports from South Africa and other known infected countries
- Intensified awareness to all traders in animal and animal products and the general livestock community on the outbreak.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development is in regular consultation with veterinary authorities within the region and shall continue to update the public and specific stakeholders on any changes in the status from time to time.
