A Free State farmer has revealed losses exceeding R40 million due to the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD). This underlines the serious financial impact the disease is having on livestock farmers across the province.
The revelation came during a three-day oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture to Fezile Dabi district, where farmers detailed the extent of the crisis and criticized the response of the provincial Ministry of Agriculture.
The farmer told the committee that no preventive vaccines had been administered before the outbreak and that the vaccination took place long after his animals became infected.
He explained that vaccinating each cow costs between €4,000 and €6,000, while the total vaccination cost for his herd is more than €6 million.
“Some farmers called for a partnership with the private sector and government to fight the disease and test, produce and roll out vaccines,” the committee said.
“Meanwhile, the committee in Kroonstad heard that pig farms have been seriously affected by the disease and that pigs should be prioritized in vaccination strategies.”
Farmers using communal grazing lands also requested municipal support, including access to additional grazing areas, fenced camps to limit the spread of disease, grazing lands and tracking of vaccinated animals.
Portfolio Committee Chair Dina Pule acknowledged the steps already taken by the Ministry of Agriculture, but stressed that broader cooperation is essential.
“Collaboration and meaningful collaboration are the first tools needed to push the boundaries of this disease,” she said.
“We also assure the province of the committee’s full support in the fight against this disease and other enemies of livestock farming in the province.”
The ministry confirmed that since FMD was declared a national disaster, funds have been set aside for vaccination and further cooperation with the National Ministry will aim to secure compensation for farmers’ losses.
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Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za