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The DA calls on KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to take urgent steps to enforce compliance and strengthen control systems as the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak worsens across the province.

The DA is deeply concerned by the spread of FMD, along with the severe impact on livestock farmers. Many farmers are unable to sell animals, while rising feed costs push them into further financial distress. Meanwhile, illegal livestock movements continue to undermine containment efforts and threaten our province’s agricultural economy.

We call on MEC, Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa and her department to implement the following urgent steps:
• Stronger enforcement: DARD must increase inspections and enforce movement control at auctions and transport points. Farmers and transporters who break quarantine or permit rules must face strict penalties, including fines and possible prosecution
• Public–private cooperation: The MEC must work with private farmers, auction houses and transporters to form a joint task team that monitors compliance, shares data and traces livestock movement
• Vaccination and biosecurity: Veterinary teams must intensify vaccination and strengthen biosecurity, particularly in communal and high-risk areas. Additional funding and staff are urgently needed
• Farmer relief and transparency: The department should create temporary relief measures for affected farmers and publish regular reports on outbreak data, control progress and financial support available.

FMD threatens food security, rural jobs and the stability of KZN’s agricultural economy. The DA, as a partner within the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) will continue to push for firm leadership, transparent reporting and effective partnerships to stop the spread and protect livelihoods.

Issued by Sakhile Mngadi, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development