Nampo Cape 2025 organisers are on excessive alert to guard animal well being amid ongoing foot-and-mouth illness outbreaks in different elements of South Africa.
Photograph: Jeanne van der Merwe
The Western Cape is certainly one of solely two provinces within the nation that haven’t skilled foot-and-mouth illness (FMD) outbreaks, however organisers of enormous agricultural occasions within the province nonetheless take the risk extraordinarily significantly.
This yr’s Nampo Cape, which runs from 10 to 13 September, marks the return of the BKB Merino Traditional and can function various breed exhibitions, with between 350 and 400 ruminants anticipated at Bredasdorp Park.
Henk Aggenbach, chairperson of Bredasdorp Park, advised Farmer’s Weekly {that a} particular biosecurity protocol was drawn up for the occasion by two veterinarians, specifically Dr Christi Kloppers, state veterinarian based mostly in Swellendam; and Dr Hensie Lategan, veterinary surgeon on the Bredasdorp Animal Clinic. He added that preparations had been ongoing since March.
“The protocol complies with the most recent laws and rules printed within the Authorities Gazette and stipulates that an animal should not be moved for no less than 28 days earlier than they’re transported [to Bredasdorp Park].
“Three days earlier than the animals are transported, they’re examined by a veterinarian to substantiate they’re disease-free. As soon as [the animals] arrive right here, they’re as soon as once more examined for any signs of FMD. Sworn affidavits testifying to all these necessities are offered to the organisers upon arrival,” Aggenbach defined.
“Upon departure after the occasion, the animals are as soon as once more examined, and a journey doc is issued declaring they’re travelling on to their native land. As soon as they’re again on the farm, they is probably not transported anyplace else for an additional 28 days.”
He added that every one autos carrying livestock had been additionally disinfected upon arrival at Nampo Cape. As well as, particular preparations had been made for animals used within the youth present.
“We organized with the faculties that no animals within the youth present at Nampo shall be concerned in different youth exhibits held in the course of the previous month or the approaching month, or the South African championships, in order that our occasion doesn’t have an effect on different youth exhibits. Members will share native animals amongst each other.
Aggenbach mentioned one other vital preventative measure was the truth that Nampo Cape wouldn’t obtain any animals from outdoors the Western Cape, which meant no animals from an FMD-affected district can be on the occasion.
Jannie Durr, convenor of sheep exhibitions on the Swartland Present, which occurred from 3 to six September, mentioned there was appreciable administrative work concerned with getting so many animals collectively for a single occasion.
“A veterinary certificates should accompany all entries, together with these for the youth exhibits. We disinfected the autos the place they entered the positioning and the place the animals disembarked from the automobile. We additionally positioned artificial grass handled with a disinfectant product to make doubly positive they didn’t carry any undesirable organisms [into the event].
“We additionally plotted a particular route over disinfectant matting for all individuals and handlers approaching the ring,” he defined.
“An important step for me, nevertheless, was that the present ring and even the seating was disinfected between occasions, as much as six occasions a day. It is rather time-consuming, however I really feel we have now to do our greatest to guard the animals and people exhibiting their animals.”
Durr additionally had a veterinarian on web site monitoring animals all through the day.
He added that strict protocols round veterinary certificates had been in impact since 2024, however at this yr’s Swartland Present, the organisers additionally did away with the contact farm to cut back human-animal contact, and since extra permissions would have been required.
