The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has retracted a circular titled ‘Foot and Mouth Disease Movement Protocol for Live Animals and Game into and within North West Province’, which was released on 14 January.
The retraction was confirmed in a notice issued by the DARD’s Directorate for Veterinary Services on 21 January.
According to the DARD, the protocol was well received by industry stakeholders, and preparations for its implementation were already under way. However, it added that the document had been released prematurely, before discussions within Veterinary Services and other government regulators were concluded. As a result, it has been withdrawn until further notice.
In the notice, the DARD also clarified that the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and game from North West to other provinces will continue in line with the requirements and conditions set by the receiving provinces.
Animal movement within the province will continue as previously advised under Government Gazette No. 52868 of 13 June 2025, as issued by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Madoda Sambatha said that once the protocol consultation process had been finalised, the DARD would publish the revised protocol.
He added that farmers and industry role players are advised to continue operating under the existing gazetted regulations until the updated FMD movement protocol is formally issued.
