The Department of Veterinary Services in Southern Province has intensified operations aimed at enhancing compliance levels in order to curb illegal movement of livestock.
Southern Province Minister Credo NANJUWA says the intensification of operations against illegal movement of livestock is also aimed at protecting the livestock national heard.
Mr. NANJUWA was speaking when he graced the Southern Province Agricultural Tourism and Commercial Show in Livingstone.
Mr. NANJUWA observed that government has put in place robust measures to contain and control livestock diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease.
He noted that government vaccinated 711,205 cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) across ten districts of the Southern Province.
The Minister further stated that a total of 795,750 doses of FMD vaccine have been received in the province and will be used soon to vaccinate cattle in the targeted districts.
‘’On disease control in the livestock sector government has in the last quarter of 2024 vaccinated a total of 711,205 cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease. Furthermore, a total of 795,750 doses of FMD vaccines have been received and will be used soon to vaccinate the cattle in the targeted ten districts,’’ he clarified.
The ten FMD immunizing districts in Southern Province include Mazabuka, Chikankata, Gwembe, Monze, Sinazongwe, Choma, Kalomo, Zimba, Kazungula, and Livingstone.
Mr. NANJUWA further highlighted efforts meant to reduce incidences of East Coast Fever (ECF) popularly known as Corridor disease in cattle.
He said the department of Veterinary Services has embarked on preparations to immunize 38,500 claves in the ten East Coast Fever immunizing districts during the first round of 2025.
‘’In an effort to reduce the incidences of East Coast Fever, also known as Corridor disease, the Department of Veterinary Services through the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has embarked on preperations to immunise 38,500 calves in the ten ECF immunising districts during the first round of 2025,’’ Explained Mr. NANJUWA.
Government is desirous to increase the national cattle heard to 7 million
