The return of Maneesh Gobin from Rodrigues has announced the resumption of cattle imports from the small island. Due to Covid 19, these activities had ceased last February and in March, the island was under an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The MV Black Rhino embarked on Thursday 21 April 180 head of sheep, 32 goats and 18 cattle. The ship is expected to reach Mauritius on Saturday 23 April. But this resumption will be gradual and under strict controls. Prices will be definitely higher!
Business resumes with Rodrigues with the drop. The Attorney General and also Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security personally supervised the loading of the animals on this day. He is closely following the resumption of agricultural activities in the tenth district. He was in Rodrigues on 13 and 14 April for an assessment of other segments of Rodrigues’ agriculture, but above all, to follow the evolution of the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic that had raged in March. Two Mauritian veterinarians were sent to carry out tests on samples taken from farms all over the island in order to determine the exact extent and status of foot and mouth disease in Rodrigues.
As a result, this consignment of 180 head was cleared for export to our market after the tests were confirmed on 18 April as safe and not carrying Foot-and-Mouth Disease. During a press briefing on Thursday, the Minister gave an overview of the situation and the steps to be taken. “This epidemic has had a great impact on the farmers of Rodrigues, who are facing many difficulties, especially economic ones, since very strict measures have been imposed on the importation of animals from Rodrigues to Mauritius.”
The situation is still delicate. The Ministry of Agro-Industry will not allow the open import of cattle from Rodrigues. Importation and slaughter will remain exclusively under the Mauritius Meat Authority (MMA). The prices of individual cattle and meat will therefore be more expensive.
