Government ramps up cattle vaccination campaign

MINISTER of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has vowed that the government was doing everything it can to control the spread of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that is affecting the red meat industry.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

Speaking while visiting communal area in North West to oversee a Cattle Vaccination Campaign on Thursday, Steenhuisen said that they secure close to a million vaccines against FMD.

“They have arrived in South Africa and we are rolling out a vaccination programme in the provinces. There is a particular focus on KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and North West. We have 274 live cases around the country," he said.

"We need to get on top of this as it is causing huge uncertainty and economic harm to the red meat sector.”

Steenhuisen added that the visit to the North West was to meet with the community and understand their concerns.

“When we make policy, it is important to actually listen to the concerns of the community. We are also here so we can work on things to make it easier so we can encourage more people to vaccinate so we can get on top of Foot and Mouth Disease.”

Despite expressing satisfaction with the progress in the vaccination rollout, he conveyed concern regarding illegal animal movement from FMD areas.