AGRICULTURAL NEWS - Although the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo are coming under control - with disease management areas soon to be lifted - the outbreaks in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, are cause for serious concern.
So says MMP Noko Masipa, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism.
Masipa says FMD has the potential to threaten rural livelihoods and the livestock economy, as livestock contributes approximately 50% of agricultural output.
"In the Western Cape, livestock farming plays a vital role in sustaining rural economies, supporting employment, and driving economic growth."
As it stands, the Western Cape remains FMD-free.
Masipa says this is testament to the strong coordination between farmers, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and local veterinary services.
"This stands in contrast to the recent situation in Gauteng, where the outbreak has once again exposed weaknesses in provincial animal health systems and biosecurity enforcement. This follows similar outbreaks in other provinces earlier this year and in 2024."
MMP Noko Masipa, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism.
Masipa welcomes the intervention by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen - also the DA leader - who has committed R72-million for vaccines which is expected to arrive in the country from Botswana today, but says stringent prevention and monitoring practices are needed.
"The Department of Agriculture had already taken action to strengthen biosecurity measures which included partnering with the private sector - such as the Red Meat Producers Organisation and Agri Western Cape - and other government departments to respond swiftly and effectively to biosecurity threats. Stakeholder engagement like this should be the blueprint for other provinces to follow."
He says while the national government’s intention to introduce new control measures on the movement of cloven-hoofed livestock across the country, are not outright bans, these directives, expected to be gazetted shortly, will place stricter conditions on livestock transport, including enhanced supervision and adherence to biosecurity protocols.
"We welcome any measure that prioritises strengthening biosecurity, but it is essential that these regulations are applied with clarity, consistency, and strong enforcement. Given the high economic stakes, any failure to properly manage movement controls could undermine the national containment effort.
"We urge all livestock farmers in the province to remain extremely vigilant, adhere strictly to movement protocols, and to report any suspicious symptoms to their nearest Western Cape Department of Agriculture district office without delay.
"Any failure to act promptly poses a risk to the progress made in securing our agricultural value chains and export markets."
The Western Cape Government is in the process of preparing the Veterinary Services Bill, which will bolster the province’s biosecurity measures and improve disease surveillance and response capacity.
Masipa says this will position the province to respond with even greater urgency and resilience against any future outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
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