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DIRECTOR of veterinary services Joseph Mubanga says it is now a requirement for all livestock farmers and livestock processing plants to be registered with the department to control disease outbreaks in the country.
Dr Mubanga said surveillance of pig farms will continue to be conducted in the provinces.
He was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday where he announced the lifting of the ban on the movement pigs in and out of Lusaka.
He said Chongwe, Makeni, Lusaka West and Mungwi Road areas will remain under quarantine.
Dr Mubanga, however, said Government has put in place measures to contain the reported new outbreaks of African swine fever in Choma, Kazungula, Kalomo, Chikankanta and Mazabuka.
He said so far, Chief Macha has lost about 69 pigs out of 216.
Dr Mubanga said government has also lifted the ban on processing of pig products with about K5 million paid to farmers whose pigs were slaughtered following the outbreak of African swine fever.
“I am happy to inform pig farmers, processors, traders, consumers and the general public that the ban that was imposed on the movement and processing of pig products into and out of Lusaka province has now been lifted effective February 24[yesterday],” he said.
Dr Mubanga said the outbreak in certain parts of the country like Nyawa area in Kazungula is because of its location in the Sichifulo game management area (GMA) .
He said areas near game parks are prone to outbreaks due to the interaction of game and domestic animals.
On Friday, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Luxon Kazabu told Parliament that the ban on the movement and processing of pig products would be lifted on Monday this week because the disease has been contained.
“So far, 16,000 pigs have been slaughtered with approximately K5 million spent in compensating the 46 farmers while only three are remaining whose pigs were slaughtered,” Mr Kazabu said.
