GOVT PONDERS ON LIFTING LIVESTOCK MOVEMENT BAN – MINISTER

WE have not recorded any new anthrax cases this month across the country, and this is an indication that the disease has been contained, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Makozo Chikote has said.

Speaking to The Scoop, Mr. Chikotesaid the anthrax disease outbreak had been contained and that there was a possibility of lifting the banon movementof livestock and all livestock products during festival season.

“As a government, we are happy that we have not recorded or received any new cases of the anthrax disease this month. The anthrax disease attacked many animals leaving the farmers with big losses and many businesses collapsed.

However, according to what we have seen on the ground we are likely to lift the ban across the country during this festive period,” he said.

Mr. Chikote said his ministry was mainly targeting to lift the ban a week towards Christmas so that the traders could make some money to cover up for the losses they encountered during the outbreak of the disease.

“We are targeting a week to enter Christmas to lift the ban, this is indeed good news to our traders and the citizens who ensured they adhered to the strict measures that the Government had put in place in terms of consumption of meat and meat products.

“As Government we have relaxed restrictions in some of the areas because we do not have cases of the anthrax disease anymore. By the time we will lift the ban that is a week towards Christmas we will ensure the veterinary officers inspect other areas so that the restriction can be lifted completely and everyone should get back to enjoying their meat and meat products,” Mr. Chikote said.

And Southern Province veterinary officer Wilfred Tembo assured that over 74 percent of cattle, goats and sheep were tested and vaccinated against the anthrax disease.

“So far we have tested and vaccinated the cattle, sheep and goats standing at over 74 percent and we can assure you that with this percentage if it increases further we are going to win the battle. Currently, we can assure our general population that the meat that they will begin consuming is now safe from the anthrax disease,” Dr. Tembo said.