SUVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's cattle industry is facing renewed pressure as two longstanding livestock diseases continue to threaten productivity and undermine farmer livelihoods.
Addressing parliament, Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Tomasi Tunabuna said the two endemic diseases -- brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis --have been a persistent challenge for Fiji's livestock sector, reducing fertility, lowering milk production, and weakening overall herd performance, reported Fiji Broadcasting Corporation on Friday.
Government data shows that between 2018 and 2021, more than 3,000 cattle in Fiji tested positive for bovine tuberculosis.
Brucellosis outbreaks have also disrupted farm operations and raised public health concerns as the disease can be transmitted to humans through unpasteurised dairy products or direct contact with infected animals.
Tunabuna stressed that controlling these diseases remains a national priority, noting that Fiji is strengthening its testing regimes, enforcing quarantine rules, and carrying out culling where necessary to prevent transmission.
He said the ministry is also working to modernize the cattle industry by improving surveillance, upgrading laboratories, and supporting farmers with training and technical assistance. ■
