Long-term vaccine access crucial in fightagainst foot-and-mouth disease

IOL News

20 hours ago

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen addressing the Red Meat Abattoir Association about the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
Image: Ian Landsberg Independent Media
The Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA) has urged stronger cooperation between the industry and government to tackle the worsening foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
It warns that traceability, biosecurity, and vaccine availability gaps could undermine the sector's credibility and long-term growth.
Speaking at the opening of the RMAA's annual conference on Thursday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen acknowledged the seriousness of the outbreak and said government was acting urgently.
'The South African government has procured 900 000 vaccine doses from the Botswana Vaccine Institute for R42 million,' he said.
'Vaccination will begin in disease management areas and feedlots, especially in Potchefstroom, where the outbreak has already disrupted economic activity.'
While vaccine procurement is a short-term solution, Steenhuisen said efforts were underway through the Agricultural Research Council to develop local vaccine manufacturing capacity.
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'We hope to move towards having our vaccines produced domestically,' he said, noting that long-term sustainability depended on a shift from crisis response to preparedness.
RMAA general manager Gerhard Neethling said the outbreak has laid bare the weaknesses in existing systems.
'The fact that we have FMD in the country is nothing new to us,' Neethling said.
'We've established very good protocols to ensure that even during outbreaks, we can still export our product. But the way the current outbreak is progressing shows our disease control and biosecurity measures are not all up to date.'
Neethling said collaboration with the Department of Agriculture had improved in recent months, but stressed that more must be done to ensure long-term access to vaccines.
'There must always be sufficient vaccination stock, not just for outbreaks, but for maintaining immunity in indemnity zones. Vaccine production is a critical key going forward to secure the confidence of our international trading partners.'
Chairperson Neil Venter said the conference provided an essential platform for the industry to air concerns, especially concerning trade losses.
'FMD is a real concern. Sales of cattle have been restricted, and this has a huge impact on business and on farmers who rely on that income,' said Venter.
'We're also seeing short-term impacts on pricing. Facilities like Karan Beef, which is a major supplier, have been affected. Prices have gone up even though demand hasn't changed.'
Steenhuisen warned that reckless auctions and unauthorised animal movement were exacerbating the spread of disease.
'In some areas, auctions are taking place without proper traceability or screening. These actions threaten exports and the integrity of the entire value chain,' he said.
'New regulations governing animal movement and auctions will be signed into effect within days, and those who breach them will face prosecution.'
Neethling echoed these concerns and said the industry must urgently modernise.
'Our international clients want to know exactly where animals were raised, what they were injected with, and how they were processed. If we don't build a reliable traceability system, our exports will continue to face suspicion.'
According to Steenhuisen, producers who embrace traceability stand to benefit.
'Compliance means access to premium international markets and new trade opportunities,' he said. 'Those unwilling to comply will be left behind by global market demands.'
Both the minister and industry leaders warned that outbreaks are not confined to farm animals.
The breach of game fences has allowed wild animals like buffalo to mix with livestock, while porous borders, especially with Lesotho and Zimbabwe, have complicated containment efforts.