Kapilbastu - There is danger that the infectious disease PPR (peste des petits ruminants), also known as goat plague, may get out of control because of an unauthorised supply of diseased goats and sheep from India into this district that are also being sold for meat. The animals are not inspected and experts say that if this continues, Nepal will be unable to control the outbreak of disease.

Worst affected are local agricultural workers who depend on livestock. Although the District Livestock Service Office is actively involved in anti-PPR vaccinations, there has not been much progress in controlling this animal disease. Every year, about 100,000 goats are vaccinated to keep them immune for three years. Fortunately, humans are immune to PPR.

"PPR-infected animals have to be destroyed but Indian farmers bring these animals illegally into Nepal," says Debendra Sharma, chief of the District Livestock Service Office. The problem started after the police check post was removed, allowing for an unrestricted flow of people through many unmanned or understaffed animal quarantine checkposts. Sources say Nepalis are involved in this cross-border activity, among them, secretaries at the VDCs. "Usually people need authorisation from the VDC and secretaries give them theses papers. It's our farmers who bear the loss of their livestock," adds Shah.