NYAGATARE – The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Agnes Kalibata has directed authorities to tighten control on cattle movements, after it was reported that livestock diseases were spreading faster in the eastern region.

While meeting livestock farmers in Nyagatare district on Monday, the farmers blamed illegal movement of cattle for the continuous spread of diseases.

The Ministry is going to work with district authorities in Kayonza, Gatsibo and Nyagatare to check illegal movement of cattle. We have agreed with farmers that cows caught will be slaughtered immediately for the safety of the other stock,’ she told The New Times.

The Minister added that the Ministry will this week start vaccination of all cattle against the common diseases.
‘We are going to carry out mass vaccination, we hope this problem will be over very fast,’ she said.

The meeting was in response to reports that cattle diseases erupted in the districts of Nyagatare, Kayonza and Gatsibo.

The most common diseases reported are Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia (CBPP), locally known as Ruhaha, Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Tick borne Disease (TBD). 

The meeting also resolved that infected cattle will be slaughtered to stem further spread of the disease.

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