Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Roy Jankielsohn MPL and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL
The Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environmental Affairs (ARDEA) must prioritise the fight against the outbreaks and spread of animal diseases in the province.
Foot and mouth disease has devastating impacts on farming operations and local economies. Farmers in the Free State are concerned by the new outbreaks of the disease several weeks ago due to the transportation of livestock from other provinces.
While the MEC for Finance in the Free State announced additional funding of R45 million to the Department of ARDEA, this Department has the highest underspend in the province, with 34% of its current budget spent against a target of 50%. The adjustment budget makes provision for R45 million in roll-overs and additional funding, of which R15 million will be utilised to combat foot and mouth disease.
The DA in the Free State welcomes the announcement by National Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen’s intention to vaccinate the national herd and establish a new mid-scale vaccine production facility. However, the success of this programme will depend on the capacity of the provincial veterinary services. The DA have previously called for the Free State Department of ARDEA to strengthen the province’s veterinary services.
There remains a concern that national and provincial initiatives to combat the spread of animal diseases are not duplicated at a local government level, where commonage cattle roam freely inside and outside towns with little policing or control over their movement to markets.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the detection of Rift Valley in the neighbouring province of the Northern Cape. This disease can cause illness in humans. Vaccines must be made available for vaccination of livestock as required in the Free State, since the current wet season is conducive to this disease.
The DA in the Free State continues to support initiatives to assist our agricultural sector, which contributes 6% to our provincial economy and a disproportionate amount of employment opportunities. Our agricultural sector throughout the value chain, who ensure our food security, is a national asset that must be supported and protected.