The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has lifted the ban on the movement, sale, and consumption of cattle and other farm animals, effective July 11, 2023.
The Ministry and the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) earlier imposed a one-month ban starting May 31, 2023, on the movement of small ruminants and cattle following the outbreak of anthrax disease in some parts of the region.
However, in a statement on July 11, 2023, MOFA announced that “based on expert advice, the ban on the movement of ruminants and donkeys and the slaughtering, sale, and consumption of meat and meat products in the Upper East Region is hereby lifted”.
The statement revealed that there have been no recorded cases of the disease since June 14, 2023.
Despite the lifting of the ban, the ministry outlined additional safeguard measures, including the slaughtering of meat under the close supervision of veterinary officers at designated abbatoirs and slaughter slabs.
Additionally, food vendors are to buy meat from designated abattoirs, and a report should be made to environmental health officers on dead animals.
It noted that vaccination against the disease, surveillance, and public education aimed at preventing another outbreak of the disease.
