The outbreak is said to have significantly affected sales and operations this festive season amid restrictions imposed to contain the outbreak. .
The restrictions are part of government’s efforts to contain the outbreak.
Speaking about the economic downfall the disease has had on farmers, the African Farmers Association of SA Provincial Secretary, Donatusi Dlamini says they used to sell their livestock on auction, which they cannot do anymore.
“They closed, for example there is an auction here in Lyons River, it has closed because they found out that there is an FMD,” he said.
“As emerging farmers, we have no business because our business happens by selling our cattle. And when there is FMD nothing is happening. We are calling on government to address this issue,” he said.
Dlamini adds that they are meeting with other associations for commercial farmers in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We have been meeting with other associations for commercial farmers which is KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union. We need government to have a committee that will sit and decide which way that will help us as farmers we need,” Dlamini said.
–SABC–
