Latest news with #Foot-and-MouthDisease
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town butchery alerts customers to potential beef shortage amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak
The Department of Agriculture is seeking new methods to manage the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks in South Africa. Image: File A Cape Town butchery has warned of a possible beef shortage following a confirmed case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) at the Karan Beef feedlot in Heidelberg. Good Hope Meat Hyper, one of the city's largest meat retailers, issued a statement on Wednesday urging customers to shop responsibly, as supply constraints may temporarily affect the availability and pricing of beef products. The business, known for its wide range of Halaal-certified and high-quality meat, reassured customers that it is working around the clock to source alternative supplies and maintain stock levels. While the situation continues to evolve, the retailer emphasised that customer safety and product quality remain top priorities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'In response to the outbreak, precautionary quarantine measures have been implemented, and while containment efforts are under way, this may lead to a temporary shortage of beef products across the market,' Good Hope Meat Hyper said. 'We understand that this news may raise concerns, and we want to reassure our loyal customers that Good Hope Meat Hyper remains committed to sourcing safe, Halaal, and high-quality meat. We are actively working with alternative suppliers to secure stock and minimise disruptions wherever possible.' The retailer has called on customers to be understanding of potential price fluctuations and product availability in the coming weeks. 'We urge our customers to shop responsibly during this period and understand that availability may be limited and prices may fluctuate due to reduced supply. We appreciate your patience and continued support as the industry navigates this challenge.' The warning follows a public announcement by Karan Beef, South Africa's largest beef producer, which has confirmed a case of FMD identified at its Heidelberg feedlot. The facility was placed under pre-emptive quarantine on Friday, May 30, 2025, after a suspected infection was flagged. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of the disease on Monday, June 2. In its statement, Karan Beef said: 'This unfortunate development highlights the ongoing risks faced by the livestock industry, even under rigorous control systems. Karan Beef is working closely with State Veterinary Services to ensure swift containment and to minimise any further risk to the broader industry. As always, we remain committed to transparency, compliance, and maintaining the highest standards of animal health and welfare.' FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. While it does not pose a direct threat to humans, it has serious implications for trade, livestock movement, and food supply chains. In light of the outbreak, national authorities have activated emergency protocols to contain its spread and limit market disruption. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said intensified efforts by the Department of Agriculture are beginning to show results, with two provinces, Eastern Cape and Limpopo, expected to have their disease management areas lifted in the coming days. At the same time, a R72 million emergency order for FMD vaccines has been placed, with delivery of the next batch expected by mid-June. The department has projected a total requirement of R1.2 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year, with each vaccine dose estimated at R100. The minister said the department is also focusing on improving animal traceability, auction monitoring, and on-farm biosecurity. 'The office of the Deputy Director-General has engaged with veterinary services and various industry representatives to detail the actions required to curb the threat,' Steenhuisen said. 'Biosecurity, traceability, and record keeping are essential, and a new directive will soon be issued to address these issues.'
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
KZN livestock farmers urge disaster declaration amid Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak
The KwaZulu-Natal livestock farming community has called on the Government to declare KZN a disaster area due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) livestock farming community has called on the government to declare KZN a disaster area due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Leadership representing pork, dairy, beef, sheep, and game industries in KZN convened this week under the banner of Kwanalu (the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union) to address the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province. In a joint statement, they called on the government to formally declare FMD a disaster as KZN grapples to contain the spread. 'In 2021, affected areas in the province were declared a Disease Management Area (DMA); the latest resurgence in 2023 has spread beyond this area and necessitated the expansion of the DMA; however, the spread continues outside of these areas.' As reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health on April 30, 2025, KZN has experienced 167 outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, of which 18 of these have been closed, with 149 still active. 'Notably, these numbers continue to increase following the 2023 outbreak originating from the Amajuba District. Despite gazetted containment efforts, continued disease spread is largely due to uncontrolled livestock movements, particularly from communal herds. The economic impact is severe and far-reaching, affecting all sectors of the livestock value chain and threatening the viability of commercial and emerging farming operations alike," the statement said. The delegation is urgently calling on the Minister of Agriculture to support a request to COGTA to have KZNl declared a disaster. This declaration is seen as critical to unlocking funding, resources, and enforcement capacity needed to implement effective control measures before the outbreak spirals into a greater national agricultural and economic crisis. In response, the KZN Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday that the situation is being managed by the government and there is no need for a disaster area to be called. The situation is dire. Sandy La Marque, CEO of Kwanalu, said that the reality is that small- to mid-sized agricultural businesses face closure. 'The situation has eroded confidence in veterinary protocols and exposed systemic enforcement, administrative, management, and other gaps,' La Marque said. La Marque added that the broader picture is that a larger population of rural and commercial livestock farmers rely on local and international markets to survive. 'If we don't get FMD under control, it will result in businesses closing, increased unemployment, and poverty for the many families that rely on this industry. While the outbreak is currently predominantly concentrated in KZN, livestock industry leaders warn the rest of the country is at risk and that the immediate economic threat should not be taken lightly.' Angus Williamson, Kwanalu vice president and Red Meat Producers Organisation chairman, said that it's affecting the economics of doing business as farms are quarantined. 'Without effective control strategies, it will become a nationwide issue.' Williamson asaid they, as organised agriculture, are doing their best to get everything done, from supporting the permit office to appealing for SA Police Service and Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) support and other relevant resources; however, we need more government support. Fanie Ferreira, the CEO of the Milk Producers Organisation, said, "We need a disaster declaration in order to open up the necessary funding and resources to implement a plan to combat the spread fast; in addition, producers must be allowed to implement a precautionary vaccination plan without penalty." Government response Vusi Zuma, Communications Director at KZN Department of Agriculture, said different spheres of government are doing their best to manage the situation. 'We have had meetings with the KZN Department of Agriculture and the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and the situation is being managed. We believe that FMD is being spread by buffaloes. However, it must be noted that not all areas in KZN have been affected by FMD. We have increased the Disaster Management Area and we have increased vaccination. At this stage, the government has the situation under control and there is no need to declare a disaster area,' Zuma said. Zuma said the movement of cattle is not banned. 'What we said is that cattle need to be tested and need to have a permit confirming a negative test for FMD to be moved. If they are positive, they would need to be quarantined. We are stepping up roadblocks with the Department of Transport to ensure that cattle being moved have been tested for FMD. We will charge those moving cattle without negative test results. We urge the private sector to work with us and explore all solutions for FMD and not call for a state of disaster as this is not necessary at this stage.' Dipepeneneng Serage, Deputy Director-General: Agricultural Production, Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management at the Department of Agriculture, said while they understand the seriousness of the FMD situation in KZN and in Gauteng, they don't think declaring a state of emergency is the solution. 'We have declared/gazetted the DMA which is in itself a state of emergency for livestock and farmers. We need farmers to work with the government to adhere to biosecurity regulations. Additionally, to the DMA, we will be issuing directives regarding the movement of animals in SA.' BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
Daily Tribune
17-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Joins Regional Effort to Strengthen Animal Disease Control Measures
A delegation from the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, led by Dr. Ibrahim Yousif, Assistant Undersecretary for Animal Wealth, took part in a high-level international workshop in Riyadh focused on combating Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). The event was jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the European Commission for the Control of FMD (EuFMD), and brought together experts and officials from across the region. The workshop aimed to review the current epidemiological status of FMD and PPR, evaluate the progress made in implementing previous disease control strategies, and develop an updated action plan. This plan includes regional priorities and practical recommendations, alongside strengthening collaboration among member states in surveillance and emergency response. Key outcomes included the update of the regional roadmap for disease control, identification of new priorities based on each country's epidemiological situation, and enhancement of diagnostic and vaccination capabilities to better respond to outbreaks. The workshop also recommended the formation of specialized technical committees to monitor the implementation of recommendations at the regional level. Representing the Kingdom of Bahrain alongside Dr. Yousif were Dr. Fajer Sabah Al Salloom, Director of the Animal Health Directorate and Bahrain's representative to WOAH (also serving as the organization's Vice President), and Dr. Shaima Jihad, a veterinary specialist from the Animal Disease Control Department.
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Tragedy, road chaos and farmers under pressure – how the unprecedented April rains have impacted the area
Over the past few weeks, the incessant rain surpassed the 122-year record for April rain. The rain also brought with it tragedy when a 14-year-old boy drowned in the full-to-capacity Donald McHardy Dam on Saturday. Witnesses said he went into the water and started experiencing difficulties. Panicking, a younger sibling called for help from nearby fishermen. Attempts were made to resuscitate the boy, and a doctor was called out. Tragically, the boy was declared dead shortly afterwards. The dam was also the scene of the recovery of a Mercedes-Benz that had been submerged in the waters the previous week. No one was injured in this incident. After a week, a diver was brought in to hook the car, which was pulled out by a recovery team. Doug Gordon, a specialist advisor with the Department of KZN Agriculture, says the 1903 record of 155 mm was eclipsed and over 180 mm have been recorded in April. While the wet summer may have pleased many, with the rivers and dams in full force, the weather has caused chaos on the roads, with the R33 at Cotswold between Dundee and Vryheid constantly under water and the Mpati stream in flood. The Buffalo River at De Jager's Drift on the R33 was also lapping onto the road surface, adding to the dangers faced by motorists on a road that has been falling apart for the past three years. Gordon said farmers have been in a dilemma, as they are not able to get into their waterlogged lands. 'Hay-making operations are at a standstill. The soya bean crop is also problematic, as it cannot be harvested. The maize crop, which is also due for harvesting, cannot be accessed, and fears are that the pips may start germinating on the cob. The wet conditions have also increased the chances of fungus growth. Predictions are that the area will this year only be able to produce C-grade maize.' Andrew Adams of the Dundee District Farmers Union told the Courier that the maize crop is fairly resilient and hopes the crop to stand until at least September if the root can hold it up. 'Soybeans, on the other hand, present more of a challenge. Though slightly more delicate, they too can afford a bit more time in the fields, at least for now. There is a consensus on what's needed next: warm, dry weather.' Economy facing a double-whammy Johan du Plessis, who farms in the Wasbank area, agreed that the heavy rains are having a huge impact on farmers, with maize and soya under threat. 'The soya crop is about to be harvested, but the guys cannot get into their fields – same with maize. It's not only KZN that has been affected, but the central parts of the country too. While the rain is good for the veld and cattle farmers, they too are being affected by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak – so farming is having it bad.' HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Base Molecular Resonance™ Technologies Introduces Game-Changing Solution to Stop Mass Livestock Culling Amid Bird Flu Crisis
BMRT's Revolutionary Technology Can Instantly Detect Infected Poultry, Preventing the Unnecessary Slaughter of Healthy Animals STUART, Fla., March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the escalating crisis of mass poultry culling due to avian influenza (bird flu), Base Molecular Resonance™ Technologies (BMRT) today announced a breakthrough application of its multi-patented Base Molecular Resonance™ (BMR™) technology that can detect infected animals instantly, eliminating the need for indiscriminate mass slaughter. With this revolutionary advancement, BMRT is poised to transform disease detection in food supply chains, preserving global food security while reducing economic and environmental waste. The Cost of Bird Flu: Financial and Agricultural Impact Since the onset of the current avian influenza outbreak, more than 166 million birds, including chickens and turkeys, have been culled in the United States many of which were not infected. Testing data indicates that only 5-10% of these birds would have likely tested positive for the virus. In the last quarter alone, over 20 million egg-laying chickens were culled, further tightening egg supplies and driving up prices. These indiscriminate culling practices have cost poultry farmers hundreds of millions of dollars, impacting food production and straining supply chains. As a result, egg prices have surged in response from $2.50 to $5.63, reaching as high as $12 in some areas. BMRT's technology provides an immediate and scalable solution to this crisis by enabling real-time precision-based disease detection, ensuring that only infected birds are culled while healthy flocks remain intact. Preventing Unnecessary Livestock Loss with Precision Scanning The current approach to containing avian influenza involves mass culling, often resulting in the destruction of millions of birds, many of them perfectly healthy. BMRT's non-invasive, instantaneous scanning technology provides an alternative that distinguishes infected birds from healthy ones in real time, preventing unnecessary destruction of food supplies while maintaining disease control. According to Robert 'Bo' Short, BMRT Co-Founder & CEO, 'Right now, millions of chickens are being slaughtered out of fear rather than necessity. Our technology eliminates that uncertainty. With a simple scan, we can pinpoint infected animals with 100% accuracy, allowing farmers and regulators to respond with surgical precision instead of widespread devastation. This is a major step forward for global food security, animal welfare, and the agricultural economy.' Expanding to Cattle, Pork, and Beyond Beyond poultry, BMRT's molecular resonance technology can be adapted to detect diseases in cattle, swine, and other livestock, helping to prevent devastating outbreaks such as Mad Cow Disease, African Swine Fever, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease to name a few. With food supply disruptions becoming an increasing global concern, BMRT's cutting-edge detection capabilities have the potential to redefine safety standards across the agricultural sector. 'Bird flu is just the beginning,' added Lee Duke, BMRT Co-Founder & President. 'We can detect disease in livestock at the molecular level before symptoms even appear, allowing for rapid intervention that safeguards the food supply and protects farmers from catastrophic losses. This is the future of disease detection.' Independently Validated for Unmatched Accuracy BMRT's technology has been independently validated by a third-party study conducted by the Center for Applied Innovation at York St. John University in England. The landmark study confirmed BMRT's 100% accuracy in detecting gunpowder, illegal drugs, cancer and other threats in both blind and double-blind tests, with no false positives or false negatives. The same precision and reliability now apply to disease detection in the agricultural industry, making it possible to safeguard global food supplies with unprecedented efficiency. A New Era for Agriculture and Food Security As governments, regulatory agencies, and food producers struggle to contain the economic and ethical fallout of mass livestock culling, BMRT's solution offers a revolutionary path forward. By deploying this safe, rapid, and non-invasive screening technology, the industry can replace fear-driven responses with precision-based disease management, ensuring food stability without compromising public health. About Base Molecular Resonance™ Technologies (BMRT) BMRT has discovered a new area of Quantum Physics that utilizes resonant frequencies to detect particle interactions at subatomic levels. This technology, called Base Molecular Resonance™ (BMR™), can detect any compound or biological substance, including every element on the periodic table, and up to 200 cancers and other diseases. With over 20 years of prototyping and testing proving its unmatched detection capabilities, BMR™ has the potential to save millions of lives by pinpointing weapons, explosives, and other physical threats both up close and at great distances, and detecting cancers and other diseases long before they present clinical symptoms. The non-invasive, harmless, and instant scan has broad implications in cancer diagnostics, public safety, law enforcement, security, and military services. Bryan Adams 800.522.4718 Ext. 1
