By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp has announced an expansion of his foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) advisory structures with the appointment of Dr Theo de Jager and Dr Danie Odendaal.
Aucamp said, he wants all sectors of the livestock industry to have a voice in shaping South Africa’s response to the disease.
He was speaking at the Octavoscene Foot-and-Mouth Disease Symposium at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Saturday.
De Jager is the Executive Director at the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI), and Odendaal is the Director at the Veterinarian Network (V-Net).
“De Jager and Odendaal bring immense practical knowledge, leadership, and technical insight that will strengthen an already hardworking and effective council.”
“Their leadership will add immense value as we work hand-in-hand across the entire agricultural sector. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to both of them for their willingness to serve South Africa at such a critical juncture.”
“We are committed to collaborating with every role player on the ground, and while we know there is a long road ahead, working together is how we will achieve our goal of an FMD-free country,” the Minister said.
Aucamp will also expand the Terms of Reference of the ICC to place greater emphasis on the rollout and practical implementation of the plan, with specific reference to farmers who are now allowed to vaccinate their own animals.
The Minister also announced that vaccine suppliers will be represented on an ad hoc basis on the ICC.
The expanded ICC, together with the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) on FMD, will work together to win the fight against FMD, Aucamp said.
To date, a total of 17 million vaccine doses have been imported into South Africa to support the national strategy.
Aucamp revealed that South Africa has vaccinated the country’s entire dairy herd and more than eight million cattle nationally as government intensifies efforts to regain the country’s FMD-free status.
The Minister has urged livestock farmers to register as authorised persons, enabling them to vaccinate their own cattle legally and efficiently.
According to Aucamp South Africa aims to vaccinate 80% of its national cattle herd against FMD by December 2026 as government intensifies efforts to break the cycle of transmission and regain the country’s FMD-free status.