The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will soon distribute six ambulatory veterinary clinics to the rural parts of the province, MEC Desbo Mohono told the Provincial Legislature. This announcement was made today, Thursday 16 May, during the tabling of the departmental budget vote for 2013/14 financial year.
Mohono said these clinics will be introduced in an attempt to intensify the Primary Animal Health Care programme, while at the same time bringing animal health services closer to the farming community.
“We will also sustain effective veterinary bio-security, through the implementation of vaccination, surveillance, diagnostic and meat safety programmes,” said Mohono.
Moreover, Mohono committed her department to strengthening and repositioning the department’s livestock breeding centres, adding that a Bull Subsidy Scheme will be initiated as part of the livestock improvement programme.
Regarding the NW/IDC Nguni Cattle Development project which Mohono described as a matter of proud record for the department and the province, a commitment to pursue sustainable markets for this indigenous breed was undertaken.
