Erik Verrynne, 23 Apr 2025 From Brendan Farrel on the Livestock Disease Reporting group. Willem Burger has already addressed some of it. Are there any veterinarians willing to assist Brendan that I can put in touch with you? “I have a cattle client pursuing legal action against a game farmer for the loss of over 20 animals to BMC / MCF (Bovine Malignant Catarrhal Fever) fever this season. Previously, there were losses every year, but 2024/25 was exceptional. The game farmer is also a client of our veterinary clinic. The cattle and wildebeest are nose to nose across the boundary fence, according to the cattle owner (I haven't personally inspected the boundary fence). Measures were explained to the cattle owner regarding 'safe' distancing of at least 1km between cattle and wildebeest to prevent transmission. The game farmer is unwilling to relocate the wildebeest and thus the lawsuit. 1. How to handle this considering the belligerents are both clients? 2. What has been the outcome of the most recent similar court actions? Obviously, we would like to avoid the court and aim for an amicable agreement. 3. The cattle client’s lawyers are requesting articles/studies regarding BMC transmission and safe distancing. If anybody could please assist. I would appreciate any advice on how to take this further. Thanks” Erik Verrynne, 23 Apr 2025 With assisting I do not mean taking sides but rather assisting to give both sides better perspective. As veterinarians we are well placed to guide and defuse the situation to the benefit of both livestock and game ranching. Willem Burger, 23 Apr 2025 Brendan. Previous considerations in lawsuits which influenced the outcome: 1. Which farmer was first established. 2. Direction of run-off water; which carries virus particles. Zoe Glyphis, 23 Apr 2025 Legal view when malignant catarrhal fever is transmitted https://regsdienste.solidariteit.co.za/en/legal-view-when-malignant-catarrhal-fever-is-transmitted/ They will be required to PCR to confirm if it's sheep or wildebeest associated MCF. The "we were here first" argument doesn't hold much weight in court. Roy Bengis, 23 Apr 2025 An old Masai wisdom is to keep cattle away from wildebeest during the wildebeest calving season (they are seasonal breeders) and for about 3 months after the calving period. If the cattle farmer would be willing to move his animals out of the camp adjoining the game fence during that period, this would go a long way to reducing snotsiekte (BMCF) losses. It has been well documented that this period coincides with the highest levels of virus excretion.
