This follows after two more farms were placed under precautionary quarantine, after positive cases of the disease were reported in the province last month. Dr Langa Madyibi, Director of Veterinary Services, says all farmers, livestock owners, and members of the industry, should exercise caution when sourcing cattle.

The extensive flood damage to infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal following the recent torrential rain is a severe blow for the province’s agricultural industry. PJ Hassard, president of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu), told Farmer’s Weekly that the full extent of damage was still being determined. He confirmed, however, that the Midlands and coastal regions seemed to have suffered the worst damage, with the Durban Fresh Produce Market being completely flooded. Sandy La Marque, CEO of Kwanalu, said reports of damage were continuing to stream into the organisation’s office. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 18 April that a National State of Disaster had been declared to ensure an effective response to the current extreme weather events. To date, more than 400 people had lost their lives in KwaZulu-Natal.

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Agriculture Minister, Thoko Didiza, has announced the establishment of a Steering Committee, whose aim will be to determine areas of priority within the sector in the aftermath of last week's devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal. The minister paid visit to the province to engage with various agriculture stakeholders - many of whom shared how their annual production had now gone to waste while left with millions and millions worth of debt and damage. Didiza said the committee would, among other things, look at how to clear infrastructure challenges so that farmers get the surviving produce out as soon as possible.

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