company news about Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia claims 8,000 Zambeef cattle

Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia claims 8,000 Zambeef cattle

In an effort to control the rapid spread of infectious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Zambeef, a leading integrated cold chain food and agribusiness company in Zambia and one of the largest in the Southern African region, has slaughtered 8,000 infected head of cattle.

The cold chain food producer noted the need for increased vigilance and collaboration among stakeholders to help prevent the spread of livestock diseases in the country. The company is attempting to kill and isolate infected animals at one of its many outlets, Huntley Farm in Chisamba, north of Lusaka, as a measure to help reduce transmission and mortality.

Zambeef CEO Faith Mukutu said in a statement provided to the FRA that recurrent cases of the disease have been noted and it seeks the clemency of the veterinary department of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to help curb the recent outbreak of CBPP.

"Zambeef notified authorities when we suspected a case of the disease. After tests were conducted in Huntley and the presence of the disease was confirmed, the government instructed us to slaughter all animals on the farm to prevent the spread of the disease."

The slaughter of infected animals for export followed the government's government directive. The company has further implemented other measures, including enhanced biosecurity and vehicle spraying competitions to not only control CBPP and other diseases, but also surveillance between provinces with exports to monitor animal activity, one of the well-known transmission routes, and to ensure certainty of "disease-free" livestock.

However, Ms. Mukutu and other health experts allayed concerns that beef from slaughtered but infected animals was harmful, noting that CBPP does not affect humans, but is localized in the lungs of cattle that are discarded during processing.

Zambian Beef is engaged in the primary production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, eggs, dairy products, fish, flour, feedstuffs and day-old chicks throughout Zambia and surrounding areas. The company operates 236 retail stores in Zambia, Nigeria and Ghana.

The program will provide agricultural inputs, strengthen extension services, improve access to markets, provide finance to farmers and develop irrigation systems.

A staggering K9.1 billion will be spent on agricultural inputs and K789.5 million on extension services, including procurement of motorcycles, extension kits, electronic tablets and rehabilitation of camp houses across the country. A total of K426.6 million will be spent on farm area development and irrigation to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture and to support year-round agricultural activities. Another 52.7 million kroons have been allocated for the recruitment of at least 500 extension officers in the livestock, fisheries and agriculture subsectors. Another 274.4 million kroons are earmarked for animal disease control.