Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says he is concerned about reports of livestock showing signs of foot and mouth disease being moved from one area to the next, with no protocols being adhered to.

This, as the department battles to contain foot and mouth disease (FMD).

Addressing the media at Parliament, Steenhuisen announced that they have had success with the containment and prevention of the disease in the Eastern Cape.

However, due to movement of infected animals, provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West are still experiencing challenges. The issue of foot and mouth disease is not only weighing heavily on the minds of livestock farmers.

“Believe you me, FMD, I wake up in the morning worrying in the morning about FMD, worrying about what we can do, and I go to sleep every night, worrying about it,” says Steenhuisen.

Steenhuisen added that government is doing all it can, taking hands with industry players to ensure that down the line the country will be free of foot and mouth disease, but expressed concern about those that are not adhering to protocols.

“There are far too many reports of farmers moving cattle showing clinical signs of the disease, or treating them privately without reporting, are deeply concerning and irresponsible. These actions not only contravene legal directives but risk entrenching FMD as endemic in South Africa,” Steenhuisen adds.

The department has set up an extensive task team consisting of very senior government officials as well as industry players to achieve this.

“As I pledged at the bosberaad, an industry-government task team on animal disease prevention, management, and control will now be established. Government will be represented by Dr Emily Mogajane, Chief Director: Biosecurity coordination, Dr Botlhe Modisane, Chief Director: Animal Health and Production, Dr Nomsa Mnisi, Director: Biosecurity Support Services,” Steenhuisen explains.

Steenhuisen says he is not of the opinion that the disease is out of control.