Zambia: The meat and livestock traders of the Kalomo district are asking the district administration to lift the ban on meat. The government had banned trading in livestock meat products for the duration that the veterinary department could vaccinate all animals in the district.
Notably, authorities maintained that the ban had been put in place after certain districts reported cases of animal-borne anthrax. The government is making sure that the people of Zambia are protected against the virus.
However, the Kalomo District Commissioner Joshua Sikaduli called the ban “ill-timed” ahead of the “holiday season”.
Kalomo District Commissioner Joshua Sikaduli disclosed that calls from the people in business to lift the anthrax livestock movement ban are ill-timed.
He announced that the disease affects both livestock and humans, which puts everyone at risk.
Sikaduli called on the community to be patient while the government is doing everything possible to contain the disease.
On Friday, several butchery business persons and the local dairy stakeholders stormed the DC’s office. They were demanding for an immediate lifting of the livestock movement ban. The team was led by their representative, Gift Lukumba and Kalomo Abattoir Manager Okelo Kalinda.
The businesspersons claimed that the disease has been controlled following the vaccination of animals in several zones of the district.
However, Kalomo District Veterinary Officer Anabo Mambo noted that five camps are yet to be covered to vaccinate all the animals. He said that his department is still waiting for supplies from the Central Veterinary Research Institute (CVRI).
Dr Mambo called on the livestock dealers to abide by the stipulated Anthrax control measures to contain the disease. However, he expressed his hesitation to state that he appreciates the economic pressure the livestock movement ban and closure of the local abattoir and butcheries has on the business community.
The district is targeting to vaccinate 195,000 cattle but has so far managed 107,245 cows, 47,000 goats and 8,912 sheep against Anthrax.
The Veterinary Department anticipates a three week period to vaccinate the remaining five Veterinary camps when the drugs are available.