Agriculture MEC backs ear tagging to fix livestock sector crisis

The MEC for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in KwaZulu-Natal has hailed the ear tagging of cloven-hoofed animals as a game changer, saying the technological advancements and measures implemented by officials will address the triple challenges in the sector. Veterinary-led teams are vaccinating cattle and fitting them with distinctive tags showing the vaccinated status of the animals, thereby addressing corridor diseases and livestock theft.

MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa visited the Mpempe Diptank at Mnqobokazi in Hluhluwe, where she saw 1400 cattle vaccinated. In one day, the areas within the Inkosi Mtubatuba and Big 5 Hlabida local municipalities witnessed a total of 14 412 animals inoculated and eartagged.

The MEC joined 20 vaccination teams on a drive in areas under the Big 5 Hlabisa and Inkosi Mtubatuba local municipalities. The areas under these local municipalities have a target of 55000 cattle to be vaccinated. The vaccination efforts have been concluded in uMhlabuyalingana, Jozini, and two districts – uGu and Harry Gwala.

KaMadlopha-Mthethwa visited the Mpempe Diptank to assess the progress made since the programme started last week. During her visit, she spoke with local livestock farmers about the challenges affecting them and how to resolve any outstanding issues they were encountering.

Addressing the farmers, she stressed that the ear tagging would effectively address stock theft and corridor diseases in the Mnqobokazi area in Hluhluwe which has battled with these issues because of its proximity to wildlife reserves. 

She commended the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS), saying that the system effectively addresses the challenges currently faced by the sector. “The ear tagging system helps with identification of cattle ownership, district of origin, and, in areas closer to game reserves, helps deal with opportunistic corridor diseases and addresses the issue of stock theft in the district. Animals in close proximity to game reserves are branded with green tags, while others are marked with yellow tags,” said kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.