Malawi Government has banned importation of meat and meat products from South Africa following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the rainbow nation.
In a statement released yesterday, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Grey Nyandule Phiri said the ban is with immediate effect.
Director of animal health & livestock development at the ministry, Patrick Chikungwa, said the ban extends to in-transit movement of all cloven-hooved animals that include cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs among others.
According to Nyandule the Principal Secretary, government has introduced the ban in order to protect the health of Malawians and also to protect the country’s herd in conformity with the Control and Animal Diseases Act (Cap 66:22) and the World Animal Health Organisation.
Nyandule added government will update the public on any changes in the status as consultations with veterinary authorizes are on-going.
“The government is currently in regular consultation with veterinary authorities within the region and will continue to update the public and other stakeholders on any changes in the status from time to time,” said the statement.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease that mostly affect cattle.
