Maravi

Magoye MP calls for suspension of cattle restocking exercise

Magoye MP calls for suspension of cattle restocking exercise
By Henry Chibulu and Florence Bupe
Sunday August 12, 2007 [04:38]

MAGOYE member of parliament Ben Mweemba has called for the immediate suspension of the cattle restocking programme. But agriculture minister Ben Kapita said the government had suspended the physical restocking of cattle in order to pave way for measures aimed at eradicating livestock diseases.

And Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Guy Robinson has said his organisation was working closely with the government to curb the problem of livestock diseases, which he described as serious.

Mweemba said the government should suspend the programme because its impact had been frustrated by livestock diseases that had continued decimating the cattle population.
Mweemba urged the government to instead channel funds allocated for cattle restocking towards the construction and rehabilitation of dip tanks to save cattle population.

He complained that most farmers who have benefited from the programme had lost their cattle through corridor disease because of their inability to regularly dip their animals due to lack of dipping facilities.

Mweemba said while the cattle restocking programme was well intended to improve the livestock and agriculture sectors, there was urgent need for the government to re-examine the programme and ensure that problems that hinder its impact on the communities are addressed.

But Kapita said the government was currently working on measures to try and eradicate livestock diseases and had suspended physical restocking of animals indefinitely.

“There is no way we can keep restocking animals when they are dying on a daily basis. We have set aside the money needed for the restocking programme but what is not being done is physical restocking,” Kapita said. “We are trying to get to the bottom of the problem and we have taken an immediate step to test animals for diseases as a short term measure and so far we have tested over 5,000 animals.”
Kapita also said the manufacturing of branding machines had already started as a way of making cattle movement restrictions more effective.

“We are already manufacturing branding machines so that we are able to more effectively monitor the movement of animals. We are also working with various stakeholders to sensitise farmers on the importance of observing restrictions effected by government because it is for their benefit,” said Kapita.
Kapita disclosed that the worst hit area was Kazungula where farmers were losing significant numbers of cattle.

And Robinson said ZNFU was working with the government to find a lasting solution to the challenge of livestock diseases.
“We are in constant touch with the Ministry of Agriculture and we have already held several meetings to discuss the situation,” Robinson said. “Last week we were in Southern Province where the situation of CBPP (Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia) is very serious and we met with the farmers and other stakeholders to discuss the problem.”

Robinson said farmers were being educated on how to identify diseased animals, and advised that any mysterious animal deaths should be reported to veterinary offices immediately to prevent the spread of diseases.
He expressed concern that farmers were losing huge incomes through the loss of their animals to disease.

And University of Zambia (UNZA) senior lecturer in the School of Veterinary Studies Dr Michelo Siakalima said restocking animals with local breeds was one sure way of reducing the prevalence of livestock diseases.

“What is promoting the spread of livestock diseases is the practice of bringing in animals from different areas. When the animals are transferred from one environment to another, their immunity to diseases affecting that area is low and they end up dying,” he said.

Dr Siakalima recommended that animals meant for restocking purposes should be acquired from areas with endemic diseases.
He also noted that there was need for increased sensitisation on the livestock disease situation.

Recently, there have been reports of increased livestock disease prevalence in some parts of the country, with the worst affected areas being Western and Southern provinces, which have registered high levels of CBPP.

Labels: CATTLE, CATTLE DISEASE

posted by MrK @ 3:59 PM