NW farmers auction livestock despite ban
A group of North West farmers have orchestrated an auction in Lichtenberg despite an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development earlier suspended all livestock auctions in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West following the outbreak in the Molemole district of Limpopo.
The farmer’s legal representative Andreas Peens says his clients have rejected the suspension and proceeded with the auction on Tuesday.
READ: Foot-and-mouth detected on Limpopo farm
“We proceeded with an auction today, or rather the client proceeded with an auction today. The state vets were there together with police but the clients just informed us that they deemed the notice unlawful.”
The farmers have also sent a letter to Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza, threatening the state with legal action should the ban remain in place.
“We have threatened with a court case. The long and the short: we sent a letter to the minister saying to them that they must explain to us ,or the people, as to why the ban is lawful and legal and enforceable.”
The ministry’s spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo confirmed that the ban, which was announced last week, is still in place.