The Foot and Mouth Disaster Management Area in the Free State has been lifted. This was the decision taken by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza. The new regulations only allow for farms unaffected by FMD to continue with their business. However, farms that tested positive for FMD, or are under suspicion for FMD, remain under quarantine.
The Department continues to monitor the situation, undertaking monthly reviews to assess the spread of the outbreak in the affected provinces. The Disease Management Areas in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo remain in place and they will be reviewed on a monthly basis.