Govt lifts ban on Livestock slaughtering

Government has lifted a ban that restricted local livestock slaughters imposed due to foot and mouth disease outbreak in two districts of Chitipa and Mzimba.

Secretary for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Gray Nyandule Phiri confirmed of the development in a statement made available to faceofmalawi reporter.

According to Phiri, the lift follows good progress made after successful monitoring of the disease control measures employed in these affected districts.

“The ongoing surveillance indicates that there are no more new cases detected in the outbreak areas following completion of vaccinations in all high risk areas of the two districts.

“The Ministry is informing the general public that traders and the general public are at liberty to resume local slaughters of all livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and pigs) in the affected districts with immediate effect,” he said.

He said the development is in conformity with the regulations under the Control and Animal Diseases Act (Cap 66:02), and guidelines by the World Animal Health Organisation.