Steenhuisen unsure when SA borders will open for import and exports amid outbreak of foot & mouth disease

JOHANNESBURG - Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said it's unclear when borders will open for import and export activities amid an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in cattle.

South Africa remains under a temporary ban of trade with some European countries and Botswana as a result of the contagious disease.

Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces have been hardest hit as government awaits an order for vaccines from Botswana.

ALSO READ: 'It's a long way still to go, this is just the beginning' - John Steenhuisen

Steenhuisen weighed in on the impact of the outbreak while visiting one of the country’s biggest beef suppliers in Heidelberg on Monday during a vaccination drive.

"The skins that come from here feed an entire industry of leather for car seat production in Europe and locally, gear, seats, steering wheels. It’s not just about the food, it’s about the value-added product," said Steenhuisen.