By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Government has approved K775 million to control the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the country.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Makozo Chikote says the money will be spent to purchase and administer FMD vaccines on all cattle.
Mr Chikote said government has come up with a three year plan that will ensure FMD is brought under control.
He said this in Livingstone during an FMD consultative meeting with 23 traditional leaders drawn from all the districts in Southern Province.
“I want to call on the chiefs to take the lead in the implementation of Livestock disease control programs as they are the custodians of Livestock and the people,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the royal chiefs, Southern Province Council of Chiefs Chairperson Shimumbo Nalubamba commended government for the consultative process.
“A lot of livelihoods in the province have been affected by FMD and is hopeful that the measures put in place will bring sanity in the livestock sector, Southern Province forms the bulk of Livestock in the country and appealed to government to facilitate the market access in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Seven out of the 10 provinces in the country have been affected by FMD and the new dawn government has committed funds to protect the national herd.
