Polokwane: The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Dr. Michael Masiapato, has confirmed the interception of illegal veterinary medicines at the BMA Port Agriculture.
According to South African Government News Agency, on 26 November, officials successfully intercepted aircrafts from Kenya and Tanzania that were carrying veterinary medicines, specifically 'Berenil', in two polystyrene boxes. These boxes, weighing approximately 84 kilograms, were allegedly in transit through the Polokwane International Airport en route to Pietermaritzburg Airport.
The consignment was initially refused entry due to the absence of requisite import permits as mandated by Section 6 of the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984. Following discussions with the Department of Agriculture, it was determined that the product should be confiscated and sent to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute - Transboundary Animal Diseases Laboratory (OVI-TAD) for further analysis.
Dr. Masiapato emphasized the BMA's awareness of the ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak affecting the country and reiterated the authority's support for the government's efforts to protect national herd health. He stated that the BMA has increased vigilance and inspection services at ports of entry to intercept illegal importation of untested biological and preventive veterinary products. Such actions are crucial to safeguarding local primary animal producers and the economic prospects dependent on them.
The smuggling attempt is considered a serious breach of veterinary and biosecurity regulations. Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock, with significant economic implications. The disease impacts cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants and disrupts both regional and international trade.
There are seven viral serotypes of Foot and Mouth Disease, each requiring a specific vaccine for immunity. The introduction of foreign serotypes could undermine current control measures. Farmers are urged to contact local State Veterinarians if they suspect the disease in their animals. The use of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines is state-controlled, and only legally procured vaccines are permitted for outbreak control.
The Department of Agriculture procures FMD vaccines from the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), which hosts the World Organisation for Animal Health's regional reference laboratory for the disease. The BMA Port Agriculture unit remains committed to supporting FMD control programs in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders to ensure the economic development of local producers and promote biosecurity measures in South Africa.