FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
OCTOBER 29, 2022
ZAMBEEF CALLS FOR VIGILANCE IN THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR
The nation’s largest vertically integrated cold chain food producer is working with government to manage the spread of livestock diseases.
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Zambeef has highlighted the need for heightened vigilance and cooperation among stakeholders to help prevent the spread of livestock diseases in the country.
The cold chain food producer has been working closely with government, particularly the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock’s Veterinary Department, to curb a recent outbreak of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), revealed Zambeef Chief Executive Officer Faith Mukutu.
Ms Mukutu was speaking during a staff address where she gave more information on the disease at the company’s Huntley Farm in Chisamba, where some cases were reported.
“Zambeef notified authorities when we suspected cases of the disease. After tests were carried out at Huntley and the presence of the disease was confirmed, we were directed by government to slaughter all animals at the farm to prevent its spread,” she explained.
Ms Mukutu went on to say that following government’s directive, the company has slaughtered over 8,000 cattle at Huntley Farm and has implemented additional measures such as enhanced biosecurity and vehicle spray races to contain the disease.
“Some other measures that need to be put in place include constant surveillance between the provinces in terms of animal movements, and 100 percent testing for diseases such as CBPP, Foot and Mouth Disease and East Coast Fever. We also want to continue working with government to ensure that before any animal is moved from one province to another, full vaccination is done for the three diseases,” she said.
“Central Province used to be clear of CBPP and we want to ensure that this continues because the disease affects the livelihoods of many stakeholders in all provinces of the country. As people know, Zambeef buys the bulk of cattle that we stock from small-scale farmers. So, we want to ensure that we continue to impact their lives positively.”
Ms Mukutu thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication during the slaughtering exercise and presented them with hampers of mealie meal, beef and chicken as a token of gratitude.
She clarified that the beef that was slaughtered is safe to eat as CBPP does not affect humans and is localised in the lungs of cattle, which were discarded during the process.
Speaking at the same event, Grain, and Meat Workers Union of Zambia (GRAMUZ) General Secretary Adon Sakala expressed gratitude to Zambeef management for recognising the staff’s hard work during the incident.
He urged all members of staff to continue working closely with management to reach a common goal for the business.
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About Zambeef Products Plc
Zambeef Products PLC (“Zambeef”) is the largest integrated cold chain food products and agribusiness company in Zambia and one of the largest in the Southern Africa region. Zambeef is quoted on both the Lusaka Securities Exchange and the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.
It is involved in the primary production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, eggs, dairy, fish, flour, stockfeed and day-old chicks throughout Zambia and the surrounding region. It operates 236 retail outlets in Zambia, Nigeria and Ghana.
Zambeef also has one of the largest row cropping operations in Zambia, growing maize, soybeans and wheat. Zambeef plants nearly 23,000 hectares annually, with most of the resulting crops being used in the Zambeef animal feed and flour milling businesses.
Zambeef employs more than 7,000 people.
More information is available at www.zambeefplc.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Gillian Langmead at Langmead & Baker Ltd
+260 979 060705