RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ready for action

November 2024

The minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has established a rapid response team in accordance with Section 2(1) of the Animal Diseases Act, to deal with all current outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

This follows a Disease Management Area declaration gazetted by the minister to prevent the spread of the disease through the movement of cattle, sheep, goats and products derived from these animals in certain areas.

The team comprises seven government and industry experts and is mandated to provide immediate support and critical decision-making assistance within the first 48 hours after an outbreak of FMD occurred.

Members of the team include Dr Mpho Maja (director of Animal Health at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development), Dr Shaun Morris (veterinarian at OCTAVOSCENE), Dr Jared Strydom (veterinarian at the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), Dr Patricia Froneman (state veterinarian in Frankfort), Dr Matlou Rabala and Dr Gerhard Neethling (general manager of the Red Meat Abattoir Association).

They will ensure regular communication, assist with guidelines on how affected farmers handle milk, meat or other produce out of affected areas, and rope in agricultural specialists to advise on the economic impact on the affected areas.

Source: Media release by the DoA, 7 August 2024

Publication: November 2024

Section: Pula/Imvula