Foot-and-mouth disease: Agriculture Dept officials set for oversight visit to Heidelberg feedlot
A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak was confirmed at the Karan Beef feedlot in Heidelberg earlier in June.
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa will on Monday join Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen for an oversight visit to the Karan Beef feedlot in Heidelberg.
The visit follows the confirmation of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak at the facility earlier in June.
Since then, additional cases have been reported at Karan Beef facilities in Nigel, Gauteng, and Albert Falls, KwaZulu-Natal.
While the outbreak has sparked concern across the red meat value chain, government has announced a state vaccine rollout plan.
The foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has dealt a major blow to the beef industry, with cases confirmed in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and, most recently, the North West.
The Department of Agriculture has ordered over 900,000 vaccine doses from the Botswana Vaccine Institute, with initial deliveries expected soon.
Officials said the vaccination drive aims to contain the current outbreak and strengthen long-term prevention efforts.
Monday's visit will begin with a briefing from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's veterinary services unit, outlining the province’s response measures and strategies to contain the spread of the disease.