It was reported yesterday that the Eastern Cape veterinary services have detected swine fever at Uitenhage in the Nelson Mandela Metro and that about a thousand pigs needs to be culled during culling operations this week.

Last week the National Department of Agriculture requested The Western Cape Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Services to take over the two most critical roadblocks bordering the Eastern Cape to prevent the spreading of the Classical Swine Fever to the Western Cape.

The one roadblock is on the N2 and other on the R62 to prevent the spreading of the disease.

As in the past all the other roll players (Disaster Management, SAPS,Provincial- and Municipal Traffic) are on board as the detailed plan of action and the implementation of the Road Blocks were discussed and finalized at a meeting in Oudtshoorn early last week.

At this stage it is planned to keep the Road Blocks in place for the next six months where after a further assessment will be made and a decision taken on the measures of movement control.

We have responded to the request from the National Department without hesitation as part of the bigger Agricultural family and also to contribute to the protection of our own pork industry in the Western Cape.

Enquiries:

Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture: Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 4930
Fax: 021 483 3890
Cell: 084 604 6701
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za