Long-term access to vaccines key to combat foot-and-mouth disease

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.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

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 yesterday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen acknowledged the seriousness of the outbreak and said the government was acting urgently.

"The South African government has procured 900000 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.

"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.