FOOT-EN-KLAUW Outbreaks Wrapping Boer Indignation | The citizen

Farmers are in the arms about what they describe as a lack of action against an outbreak of foot and claw disease (FMD).

Since an Indaba about the disease in July, little implementation has been seen, said Agricultural Union TLU SA general director Bennie van Zyl.

“The frustration of farmers is increasing. We insist that immediate action can properly manage the outbreak and protect the agricultural economy.

“TLU SA has submitted a formal letter to Minister of Agriculture John Steenhousen with regard to the outbreak, because the situation has developed into a serious economic and agricultural crisis.”

Since February the outbreak has escalated dramatically, Van Zyl said.

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“Although the Indaba prepared strategic plans and working groups to combat the disease, no concrete progress has been made.

“This lack of implementation exposes farmers, consumers and the economy to serious risks.

“TLU SA is very concerned about the limited capacity of the state to effectively control the outbreak.

Situation economically critical

“The movement of cattle without sufficient control measures worsens the situation, while the economic pressure on farmers continues to grow.”

Van Zyl said from an economic perspective that the situation was crucial.

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Southern African Agri Initiative (boring) executive director Theo de Jager said that all farmers were somehow affected.

“A large number of farmers cannot meet their financial obligations because the banks and cooperatives are in their necks.

“They have to pay their bills and they would sell cattle for that. Now they can’t,” said De Jager.

Huge number of strangers and uncertainties

“We are still confronted with a large number of strangers and uncertainties: we do not know why Onderstepoort can no longer make the vaccines.

“It is a disease controlled by the state and it is simply not good enough to keep a conference to explain how the disease works if there is no solution.”

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De Jager said it took the department six months to explain the outbreak.

“In Latin -America they have it under control because countries have collaborated and developed a vaccine that costs half as much as ours.”

De Jager wondered why the state was able to make vaccines until 2013, but that is not possible now. Agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo said Sa’s export growth ambitions are in danger.

Export growth -ambitions in danger

“Without drastic changes in our approach, we not only risk the prosperity of the industry, but we also limit the participation of small and medium -sized farmers in the value chain.

“The higher the risk of outbreaks, the more reserved large feedlots can be to absorb products from smaller players.”

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South Africa can immediately implement better controls in fences around the infected zone and ensure that they are staffed 24/7, preventing animals, said Sihlobo.

A national vaccination approach is needed that would increase the production of vaccine, he said.

“We are already shamelessly importing our FMD vaccine from Botswana.

Import vaccine from Botswana

“We have observed a decrease in our production capacity at the biological products of the lower poort and the Agricultural Research Council due to challenges in the field of corruption and human resource,” he said.

Although the Ministry of Agriculture worked to breathe new life into the facilities “it will take a while for us to realize the profit,” he said.

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