Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini visited Mzimnene dip tank in the Manzini Region on Wednesday morning to personally oversee the national cattle vaccination programme, using the occasion to call on the public to cooperate with Government efforts to bring the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak under control.
The Prime Minister said 40% of the national herd has already received its second vaccine dose and expressed confidence that the disease could be defeated, provided emaSwati play their part.
“Government is doing everything within its power to eradicate this disease. We are confident that, with the Foot and Mouth Disease control measures in place – including the disinfection of vehicles and passengers, as well as the ongoing vaccination drive – we will conquer the disease,” he said.
He warned, however, that irresponsible movement of livestock remained a serious obstacle to the progress being achieved through the vaccination drive.
“If this disease persists, it will be largely due to our own actions. Reckless movement of livestock undermines the progress we are making. Without full cooperation between the public and Government, the disease will continue to spread. However, we are optimistic that in the coming months, we will have vaccinated all livestock across the country thereby overcoming this disease,” Prime Minister Dlamini said.
The economic consequences of the outbreak were also front and centre in his address, with the Prime Minister drawing a direct link between the disease and rising poverty among families who depend on cattle for their income.
“As emaSwati, we all recognise that cattle are the wealth of the nation. When we are unable to generate income from them, poverty increases. Many emaSwati are employed through the beef industry, but due to FMD, we are currently unable to export to international markets,” he said.
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