Quarantine and Livestock Movement Control

[Kvet Forum]

Quarantine refers to the total ban on movement of livestock and livestock products from one administrative unit (district) to another following an outbreak of a notifiable disease. Quarantine is normally imposed by the veterinary authorities as a disease control measure.

Livestock Movement Control refers to a continous (in force all the time) disease control measure whereby all animals for trade or breeding purpose, moving from one adminstrative unit (district) to another must be inspected and be certified healthy and free from specific notifiable diseases before permits authorising such movement are issued by the inspecting officer. It is an offence for a person to move animals from one adminstrative unit to another without a permit authorising such movement.

Importance
Quarantine and livestock movement control helps veterinary authorities to contain disease outbreaks hence minimising socio-economic losses through deaths and closure of livestock markets. It also helps to minimise the risk of diseases spreading to clean areas.

NOTE: Most producers and traders view quarantine/livestock movement control regulations negatively but it should be understood that its a disease control measure used by veterinary authorities for the benefit of all stakeholders in the livestock industry and if these rules and regulations are followed, the veterinary authorities are able to contain disease outbreaks faster and hence hasten the lifting of a quarantine.