Cattle pose health hazard

Nihal JAYAWARDENA

The diversion of illegally transported cattle to state owned farms after litigation by Police is posing a health hazard to the herd at these farms said Haragama Livestock Farm Manager T M G de Silva at a meeting of the Kandy District Agriculture Committee held at the Kandy district Secretariat Tuesday.

He said most of the illicitly transported cattle have various disease. The transfer of such cattle to state livestock farms pose a serious threat to the healthy herd as they may get infected by the foot and mouth disease.

He said cattle in the Haragama, Mahaberiyatenna and Karandagolla farms are in a good health as they are managed through proper Livestock Conservation schemes.

He also pointed out that there are separate farms at Anuradhapura and Puttalam reserved for illicit and stray cattle caught during transport.

De Silva said the Harasgama farm had a well maintained herd of 500 cattle and requested the Kandy Additional GA Kumudini Karunaratna who presided to solve this. The Kandy Additional Government Agent promised to find a solution after discussions with the relevant parties.