Botswana government kills suspected

FMD-infected cattle Veterinary officers in Botswana started killing cattle suspected of being infected with foot and mouth disease (FMD) last week in the Okavango area, amidst complaints by farmers that the exercise will leave them impoverished.

Speaking in a telephone interview from Sehithwa, Mogotsi Makgetho complained that the officers were shooting any animal they suspected of not having been vaccinated and that they were not rounding them up in one place for checking. He said they have tried to plead with the government that the killing was going to leave them impoverished and have unsuccessfully suggested vaccination.”Foot and mouth disease is like any other disease and government should have opted for vaccination instead of slaughtering our cattle,” he said.Makgetho said that he did not know where some of his cattle were – whether they had already been shot or not.He added that the carcasses were buried at a place called Murambachikoto far way from the village.However, FMD coordinator and deputy director, Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo said that only animals without owners were being shot.He said that in some cases, the animals need someone to round them up and bring them for vaccination and there is nobody to do that except the veterinary officers.He further explained that in situations where the owners are present and they verify ownership with the police and the animal is found to be free of FMD and other diseases, they are given the carcass to consume.However, where there is nobody to claim the animals, the carcasses are buried at designated burial pits.Meatingplace.comHe said they have tried to plead with the government that the killing was going to leave them impoverished and have unsuccessfully suggested vaccination. “Foot and mouth disease is like any other disease and government should have opted for vaccination instead of slaughtering our cattle,” he said.Makgetho said that he did not know where some of his cattle were – whether they had already been shot or not.He added that the carcasses were buried at a place called Murambachikoto far way from the village.However, FMD coordinator and deputy director, Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo said that only animals without owners were being shot.He said that in some cases, the animals need someone to round them up and bring them for vaccination and there is nobody to do that except the veterinary officers.He further explained that in situations where the owners are present and they verify ownership with the police and the animal is found to be free of FMD and other diseases, they are given the carcass to consume.However, where there is nobody to claim the animals, the carcasses are buried at designated burial pits.Meatingplace.com