Berea, May. 04 – Despite the declaration of a state of disaster following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), the Teyateyaneng Wool and Mohair Growers Association (TWMGA) has resumed goat shearing under strict control measures.
The shearing process, now in its second week at the Teyateyaneng woolshed, is being conducted with access limited to authorised personnel only. The exercise commenced last week focusing on farmers from Lekokoaneng, while this week targets those from Tebe-tebe and Mamathe.
In an interview, TWMGA Chairperson Mr. Motsamai Nyareli said although shearing operations are progressing, the process is faced with several challenges, including lack of government preparedness.
Mr. Nyareli noted that while farmers support government measures aimed at curbing the spread of FMD, they had expected provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) under the state of disaster. However, they were instead instructed to procure the equipment themselves.
He further indicated that farmers were also required to provide PPE for woolshed officers conducting pre-shearing inspections as well as recorders, increasing their financial burden…
RM/BM
