Govt bans issuance of livestock travel permits
Written by Millennium on July 23, 2019
LILLIAN CHIKANDI writes
@SunZambian
ISSUANCE of travel permits for livestock has been suspended with immediate effect following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in some districts in Chikankata, Mazabuka, Gwembe, Chongwe, and Chilanga.
Chirundu district ministry of Livestock and Fisheries coordinator Noah Sinkala told the Sun that despite Chirundu not having recorded any case or outbreak of the disease, the department had implemented some preventive measures to stop any possible outbreak.
Mr. Sinkala said that the department had taken some samples from Mweemba and Chikanzaya villages because they shared borders with Chikankata district that had also been affected by the disease.
He said although Chirundu was not among the affected districts, his office was aware that there some farmers transporting animals into the district from Gwembe through Bottom Road at night hence the need to enforce restrictions.
Mr. Sinkala has urged the public especially farmers to inform the veterinary department office before slaughtering any animal and butchery owners to ensure the meat they sold to the public was certified by his office.
Mr. Sinkala has since cautioned the general public to desist from transporting their animals without any documentation and warned that if anyone abrogated the directive they risked having their vehicles and animals impounded.
