Farmers in South Africa have expressed deep dissatisfaction with government's response to the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak,assigning a score of just two out of ten to Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. agricultural sector warns that inadequate vaccination efforts could lead to losses as high as R80 billion.
Criticism has intensified following a request from newly elected Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis for a reshuffle in Government of National Unity,which includes calls for Steenhuisen's removal from his position. Hill-Lewis described this move as part of a broader performance review of the DA's government team,but it has also reignited scrutiny over the handling of disease outbreak.
According to Francois Rossouw,CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative, the focus should shift from personnel changes to the effectiveness of the government's strategy. He emphasized that real issue lies in the policy framework rather than individual leadership. “It’s not about whether the minister is removed or not . It’s about having the correct policy in place,” he stated.
Farmers have reported that only about 32% to 34% of national herd has been vaccinated over the past six months,far below the necessary target of vaccinating the entire herd within 60 to 90 days. Rossouw pointed out that current vaccination efforts are insufficient, stating,“If we look at that number,we've totally failed farmers.” He estimated that the dairy sector alone could see losses ranging from R5,000 to R6,000 per cow,with total damages across the red meat industry potentially reaching R80 billion.
One contentious issue has been the government's reluctance to involve the private sector in vaccination efforts. Rossouw noted that countries like Uganda have successfully managed outbreaks by allowing farmers to vaccinate their own cattle. “We still don't know why, in the face of all the scrutiny, he’s persisted with the strategy of state centralization,” he said,referring to Steenhuisen's approach.
Amid these challenges, a controversial email exchange has further fueled tensions. Farmers sought meeting with the Department of Agriculture to discuss vaccination strategies, but the minister’s chief of staff allegedly dismissed their concerns in forwarded email,which was perceived as mocking. Rossouw criticized this attitude, saying it reflects a broader unwillingness to engage with farmers during the crisis.
As outbreak continues to spread,Rossouw warned that South Africa is only beginning to grasp the full implications of disease. He likened the situation to a fire that must first be extinguished before it can be contained. “We have not even started to discuss the nitty-gritties around the disease and how to combat it for the next decade,” he added.
With questions surrounding Steenhuisen's future in the Cabinet, handling of foot-and-mouth disease remains a pressing concern for farmers and agricultural organizations alike . The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for effective policy and action to mitigate impact on the agricultural sector.
