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

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 RMAAS 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 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 Agri-cultural Research Council to develop local vaccine manufacturing capacity.

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.