Milk SA raises alarm over foot and mouth disease outbreak in Western Cape

The Association-Milk South Africa (Milk SA) as expressed concern over the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease on dairy farms.

The association’s veterinary advisor, Mark Chimes, said the Western Cape has recorded its first-ever case in a dairy herd.

While Zambia and Namibia have banned all livestock imports from South Africa, Zimbabwe has indicated that its market will remain open to milk treated at ultra-high temperatures.

ALSO READ:

Zambia bans all livestock imports, transit from SA

KZN becomes foot-and-mouth epicentre as government awaits vaccine stock

Gauteng government's R16m push to curb foot-and-mouth disease

Steenhusien declares 'war' on foot-and-mouth disease ravaging livestock

Chimes added, however, that many facilities in the country can’t double-pasteurize or produce ultra-heat-treated milk in accordance with standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

“On the one hand, we might end up with more dairy products ending up in the country because you cannot export it, but on the other hand, we will probably be able to see a drop in milk production as well, which will then counterbalance the oversupply of milk.” Very difficult to say which way it will go," said Chimes.