By Lumbiwe Mwanza
THE mandatory dipping of livestock to prevent tick-borne diseases should be effectively enforced among farmers and those that fail to adhere to regulations should be prosecuted, the National Union for Small-scale Farmers of Zambia (NUSFAZ) has charged.
The Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 1 of 2013 of the Animal Health Act No.27 of 2010 makes it mandatory for livestock farmers to regularly cleanse or dip their animals. According to the Act, livestock owners in Zambia must dip their livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) once every two weeks.
The dipping frequency is increased during the rainy season to counter the effect of rain washing away the Acaricide on the animals and increased tick burden during the period.
Speaking to The Scoop, NUSFAZ president Frank Kayula says dipping of animals should be taken like car insurance where every farmer dips his animals in view of building a more resilient Livestock sector.
Dr. Kayula added that the Government should construct more dip tanks or spray races in many strategic areas where there are many animals.
He has however underscored the need for Smallholder livestock farmers to utilize the existing communal dip tanks provided by the Government to regularly dip their animals in compliance with the Animal Health Act.
“Dipping must be mandatory if you have animals. Period! It should be taken like car insurance. Everyone with animals must dip. If they don’t, they should be prosecuted,” Dr. Kayula said.
Dr. Kayula further called on entrepreneurs in the country to take advantage and set up dip spraying services all over the country where there are animals and contribute to the control and prevention of tick-borne diseases that devastate livestock in many parts of the country.
Tick-borne diseases are transmitted by ticks that feed on the animals’ blood. These diseases are a major source of mortality for livestock, especially cattle for smallholder farmers that graze in communal land. Tick-borne diseases common in Zambia include East Coast Fever (ECF), commonly known as Denkete, Anaplasmosis, Heart water and Red water.
