Farmers who want to vaccinate their herds against foot-and-mouth disease early, once enough doses are available in the country, will pay between R45 and R80 per animal, depending on the supplier. “We’ve been very clear with Onderstepoort Biological Products that we’re in a crisis and this is not an opportunity to make a profit,” says Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen.
By Chris Burgess, editor-in-chief of African Farming and Landbouweekblad, and Alani Janeke, senior journalist
Once more foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine doses arrive in the country – such as the shipments of 5 million and 6 million doses expected in March – and vaccines from different manufacturers are available, industry organisations will be allowed to buy vaccines for their members.
Steenhuisen says entities such as the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO), the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO), and the SA Feedlot Association will be able to buy vaccine on behalf of their members.
There is a cost involved for those farmers who want to move ahead of the government’s vaccination drive so they can get back to business faster.
Costs and Potential Compensation
Speaking to Chris Burgess and Alani Janeke of African Farming and Landbouweekblad, Steenhuisen said that the average price per dose would range between R45 and R80, depending on the vaccine available. The government made it clear to Onderstepoort Biological Products, which is acting as the agency for the Argentine vaccine manufacturer Biogénesis Bágo, that South Africa was in a crisis and that now’s not the time to make a profit.
“We need to import the vaccines and keep prices as low as possible so that we can obtain far more doses, and so that when some do have to pay, it remains affordable.”
Government will look at ways for farmers to claim compensation where big losses were suffered, Steenhuisen said in the interview, but such processes will also focus on how well biosecurity was applied on the affected farms. He added that existing regulations would be amended, particularly those relating to quarantine periods and which abattoirs may be used.
Water Rights and Firearms Legislation
The Department of Agriculture is also closely monitoring developments around proposed legislation on water rights to ensure that farmers’ interests are represented. Pressure is likewise being put on the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to deal with wheat and sugar tariff issues as soon as possible.
Steenhuisen also referred to concerns about proposed changes to firearms legislation and how these could affect farm safety.
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