Farmers left in the dark as foot-and-mouth disease vaccine arrives in South Africa

While there has been news that the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine has been distributed across the province this week, some commercial farmers remain in the dark about it.

Linda Mthalane, a beef cattle farmer and director of Nkonyane Yenkosi Farming, stated that she learned of the vaccine's availability in the province this week and that another one million doses were due to arrive on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen revealed that South Africa was preparing to receive over five million vaccine vials by the end of March, aimed at combating the rampant FMD crisis that has hit agricultural regions.

Steenhuisen shared the positive news during a State of the Nation Address debate.

"Millions of doses are being procured, and today I can announce that on Saturday, we will be receiving a delivery of one million vaccines from Biogenesis Bago," he said.

However, farmers like Mthalane don't share in Steenhuisen's optimism because they are in teh dark about when the vaccines will reach their properties.

"I am aware of the national rollout of vaccines and have been following the updates avidly online; however, we haven't heard anything on the ground.

"I recently contacted our local agricultural advisor to hear what instructions he may have received but am yet to get feedback.

"We are hearing about nearby villages receiving visits and having activations for the communal herds, but nothing yet for commercial farmers," she said.

The minister stated that the delivery will mark the largest single import of vaccines to date and is expected to provide vital relief to the provinces hardest hit by the outbreak.

With the declaration of the FMD outbreak as a disaster, government officials were ramping up efforts to address the situation.

"Mass vaccination will continue and be accelerated," Steenhuisen stated.

"Already, more than two million vaccines have been administered, and daily vaccinations are ongoing across the country."

Steenhuisen also noted the expansion of veterinary capacity, announcing that private veterinarians can now register to administer vaccines under the Animal Diseases Act.

"This move aims to bolster the workforce available for the vaccination campaign," he said.

Last week, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli announced the province's plan to receive 1.5 million doses of the FMD vaccine.

He highlighted the importance of offering free vaccinations for livestock while assuring the availability of agricultural advisors and veterinarians to assist farmers during the process.

"Our aim is to ensure that every livestock owner is reached, particularly in rural regions where the challenges are greatest," Ntuli stated.

The urgency to combat FMD has prompted authorities to accelerate vaccination efforts, with over 300,000 livestock already vaccinated in the current financial year.

Alongside vaccinations, antibiotics are being distributed to enhance the immune systems of animals, to provide an additional layer of security for livestock herds.

Premier Ntuli acknowledged the substantial challenges faced in rural districts.

"When we get to the rural areas, we see that we have a big problem.

Those are all the places we have prioritised," he explained, noting the strategic importance of reaching those areas first.

DAILY NEWS