Veterinary services department has announced intentions to intensify implementation of animal disease control measures, rehabilitation and construction of new dip tanks.

Dr. Yona Sinkala, Director of veterinary services said the move is a deliberate decision to deal with the threat of animal diseases.

He revealed that government has budgeted an extra K30 million to finance the project.

“The executive directive is to complete the ongoing works that commenced in the preceding years and K30 million has been provided for this purpose in the 2017 budget,” Dr. Sinkala said.

Last year, government ensured that cattle are kept healthy for better livelihoods through public health (control of zoonosis), food safety, animal welfare and market access.

Dr. Sinkala said prevention of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the high risk areas of Kafue flats, Western Zambia and Mbala was intensified through vaccinations and movement control.

“In addition the government continued tick control through dipping. Government continued the programme to complete rehabilitation and construction of new dip tanks.

“Between 2011 and 2015, 153 dip tanks were rehabilitated and constructed to enable communities’ access to dipping facilities for their cattle,” Dr. Sinkala said.

From 2016 to 2017, 61 dip tanks have been completed with a further 200 still under rehabilitation and construction.