South Africa is currently experiencing significant challenges with widespread outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), affecting KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and the Free State.
The resurgence of the disease has resulted in livestock movement restrictions and significantly impacted the country’s red meat trade on international markets.
In response to this escalating crisis, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), in partnership with the Agricultural Research Council (Arc), the University of Pretoria, and Onderstepoort Biological Products, is hosting a national foot-and-mouth disease indaba. The two-day event is taking place at the Arc-VIMP Campus in Roodeplaat, northeast of Pretoria, from July 21-22.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and deputy minister Nokuzola Capa will lead the indaba, which aims to bring together top veterinary scientists, agricultural experts, and key industry stakeholders to deliberate on and develop long-term solutions to combat FMD.
“Having already inflicted significant damage to the multibillion-rand livestock sector, the disease continues to threaten South Africa’s broader economy. Therefore, the indaba presents a vital opportunity to unite expertise and resources to effectively eradicate this devastating disease,” the department said in a statement.
“The indaba will convene a range of multidisciplinary specialists to develop a coordinated and comprehensive approach to controlling and ultimately eradicating foot-and-mouth disease.”
The key areas of discussion will include strengthening biosecurity measures at farm level, enhancing vaccination programmes, and reinforcing animal movement controls.
The DALRRD, in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council, has emphasised its commitment to identifying and implementing sustainable solutions to FMD. The department added that the indaba signified a crucial advancement in ongoing efforts to combat the disease.
“By cultivating strong partnerships between government entities, academic institutions and industry leaders, the department is committed to developing precise and effective measures that will eradicate the disease and safeguard the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s agricultural sector.”– SAnews.gov.za
