Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Treasury Has Released 100 Million Kwacha To Help Contain The Foot And Mouth Disease Which Has Affected Over 2 Million Cattle Across The Country.
Delivering A Ministerial Statement To Parliament On The Status Of FMD Outbreak In The Country, Fisheries And Livestock Minister Makozo Chikote Has Disclosed That About 2 Million Out Of The 3.8 Million Cattle Population In Zambia Have Been Infected With Foot And Mouth Disease In The Country’s Nine Provinces Except For Luapula.
Mr. Chikote Announced That Government Has Since Come Up With A 3 Year Control Program Valued At K775 Million Of Which Treasury Has Released 100 Million Kwacha For The Vaccination Programme.
He Disclosed That Government Intends To Procure 2.2 Million Vaccines Which Will Be Brought Into The Country Using A Three Phased Approach With The First Batch Having Already Come Into The Country, The Second Batch Is Expected By Mid-November And The Third And Last Batch Is Expected Beginning Of December.
The Minister Has Acknowledged That There Has Been A Delay In The Procurement Of Foot And Mouth Vaccine, Attributing The Delay To The Covid 19 Outbreak Which Affected Procurement And Importation Processes.
Mr. Chikote Has Since Stated That The Vaccination Program Will Start As Soon As The Country Has A Good Number Of Vaccines Which Will At The Same Time Cater For A Big Percentage Of The Affected Livestock.