KwaZulu-Natal's Foot-and-Mouth Disease Management Area Lifted
The controversial foot-and-mouth disease management area (FMD DMA) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has been officially lifted. The decision, announced by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, ends restrictions that have been in place since 2021, affecting approximately four million hectares. The DMA was initially established to prevent the spread of FMD but has been criticized for its economic impact on livestock owners, causing significant financial losses. The lifting of the DMA is seen as a victory for local agricultural unions and livestock owners who have long advocated for its removal. 
