POSTER-POLICY-SPEECH
POLICY SPEECH TABLING
The MEC for the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform will deliver her Policy Speech for the 2020/21 Financial Year
livestock-improvement
DRDAR MEC Nomakhosazana Meth flanked by the beneficiaries of 40 Tuli Heifers that were handed over as part of department’s Livestock Improvement programme in Ngqushwa. From left, Hambile Msiwa of Selborn farm, twins Zovuyo and Zipho Makhwabe of the Wicklow farm and Bonnie Bokwe of Skipper’s Block farm.
AFRICAN-SWINE-FEVER
WHAT IS AFRICAN SWINE FEVER?
– African swine fever or ASF for short is an acute disease in pigs caused by a virus. – It is characterized by high mortality rate in affected pig herds, i.e. it kills almost all infected pigs.
WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL SIGNS?
– Low energy & desire to sleep (Listlessness), lack of appetite and not interested in food (anorexia), shivering and muscular tremors, difficult labored breathing (dyspnea) and blood spots (hemorrhages) under the skin of the tail, ears and ventral abdomen.
HOW IS THE DISEASE TRANSMITTED?
– Through contact with infected wild or domestic pigs and infected soft ticks (Argasid tick).
– Through contact with people, vehicle equipment or shoes.
– Feeding or eating contaminated food waste, feed or garbage
HOW CAN THE DISEASE BE PREVENTED?
– Keep your pigs housed in pig proof structures to prevent contact with pigs of unknown health status. – Do not allow visitors to in close contact to your pigs as they might be unknowingly carrying the virus – Buy healthy pigs from a reliable source. – Avoid feeding kitchen waste or ensure that there is no pig meat (swill) in the kitchen waste. – Cook the kitchen waste thoroughly. (not less than an hour)
IS THE DISEASE TRANSMISSIBLE TO HUMANS?
– NO!!! The disease does not affect humans.
IS IT SAFE TO EAT MEAT FROM AN INFECTED HERD?
– Consumption of meat from a slaughter pig is safe.
– But remember!!! Any meat and products from affected pigs can be a source of infection to other pigs.
– Therefore, please ensure that if any swill (kitchen waste) is fed to pigs that it is pre-cooked for an hour.
WHAT ARE THE GOVERNMENT CONTROL MEASURES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE?
– Affected pig farms are immediately quarantined – Surviving pigs in infected areas are destroyed and disposed of by burning or deep burial.
– The affected-depopulated farms are immediately disinfectant with a virucidal chemical.
– The disinfected depopulated farms must not restock for about a month to three months. – No movement of pigs from, into or through the affected farm is allowed.
– Pigs from unaffected farms in an area of outbreak are moved to an abattoir for slaughter through a health attestation or movement permit obtainable from the local State Veterinary Offices.
WHAT CAN THE PIG OWNERS DO?
– Pig farmers must be vigilant and report any sudden death or illness to the nearest local State Veterinary Office. – For more information, please contact the local State Veterinary Offices nearest to you.
FORFOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US ON: 0800 20 30 25 WHAT APP: 072 195 1969
MEC ON THE GO
MEC-METH-PAYS-UNANNOUNCED-VISITS-TO-EDEN-AGRI-SERVICES- 19
MEC METH PAYS UNANNOUNCED VISITS TO EDEN AGRI SERVICES AND GATYENA CITRUS FARM ALONG R67
MEC of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Ms Nomakhosazana Meth has today paid unannounced visits to Eden Agri Services which functions as a pack shed for citrus primary production in the nearby and Gatyena Citrus Farm along R67.
“We are embarking on this unannounced visits to monitor the compliance to COVID 19 regulations and hygiene standards. These visits have also afforded us an opportunity to interact with farm workers on challenges that are imposed by this pandemic. These unannounced visits are largely aimed at assessing the farming environment, the facilities, the conduct of owners and managers and the attention given to hygiene services that farm workers are receiving during this period,” said MEC Meth.
MEC Meth will visit the various farming farms and agricultural value chain facilities in order to observe adherence to COVID 19 regulations.
“Whereas we support the sector’s various production targets, we are equally a caring government for all, regardless of social class. We continue to emphasise that farm workers must be treated with respect and dignity,” MEC added.
Farm institutions are encouraged to adhere to COVID 19 regulations and protect employees at all times.