Dr. Theo de Jager. (Photo: Boring)
Saai reacted sharply to recent statements and parliamentary answers by John Steenhuisen, minister of agriculture, about the cost of foot-and-mouth vaccine and the new section 10 vaccination scheme.
Dr. Theo de Jager, chairman of Saai’s board, says the organization is “extremely shocked” by what he describes as contradictions in Steenhuisen’s answers about the cost of vaccine. He also objected to allegations that Saai is believed to be spreading misinformation about vaccine costs.
“If the minister can provide evidence of misinformation about the costs and prices of vaccine by Saai, I am prepared to resign as chairman of the board,” says De Jager. “If the minister cannot do it, he should do the same.”
The dispute concerns the cost of the FMD vaccine, as well as the new section 10 scheme which provides for a voluntary public-private vaccination scheme.
Saai argues that Steenhuisen maintains that the state pays for vaccine, while paragraph 19.1 of the section 10 scheme states that the cost of both the vaccine and vaccination must be borne by the owner of the vaccinated animal.
Die Government Gazette also stipulates that the minister may publish guidelines on payment for vaccine and the vaccination program, and that consideration may be given to subsidies, public funding, cost sharing and a phased approach.
Saai says it does not deny that certain farmers and agricultural organizations have already obtained vaccine free of charge, but believes the core question is who ultimately pays for the vaccine – the farmer or the tax payer.
John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture (Photo: Department of Agriculture)
“However, the question is who pays in the end,” says De Jager.
The organization believes that the state should not allow excessive profit-taking without any value addition in a crisis like this.
De Jager also refers to several prices that were apparently mentioned by local agents, the state or the minister. According to Saai, Dunevax, the local agent for the Turkish Dolvet vaccine, has indicated that stock can be delivered to any farm in South Africa at R45 per dose, excluding VAT.
Saai further claims that Steenhuisen said in parliament that Dolvet vaccine costs R95.60 per dose in Turkey, and says he must prove this claim.
The organization also refers to Biogénesis Bagó’s vaccine and claims that Design Biologix previously indicated a price of R50 to R55 per dose, including everything but VAT. However, according to Saai, Steenhuisen said in parliament that this vaccine costs OBP R35.33 per dose, excluding tax, logistics and labour.
Saai also argues that BVI vaccine from Botswana OBP cost R42.51 per dose and was later sold via OBP for R60 to agricultural organizations and livestock owners. The organization believes this contradicts the minister’s assurance that vaccine is not sold and that no profit is taken.
Earlier in an official statement to Maroela Media, the Department of Agriculture said that vaccination will cost farmers R300 per head per year. Saai says Steenhuisen owes the country an explanation about where the confusion about vaccine prices comes from.
De Jager says farmers are already used to the fact that there are no consequences for “lies, negligence, failure, incompetence and blame shifting” in the Department of Agriculture.
“However, I challenge Minister Steenhuisen to account if farmers prove that he and his department are responsible for the confusion, lies, factual errors, price manipulation and associated delay in rolling out the vaccination campaign.”
Saai believes that the huge price difference between what it costs the state and what Dunevax and Design Biologix can get the vaccine on farms for is, in addition to efficiency, urgency and thoroughness, another reason why the state’s involvement in the national vaccination campaign should be kept to a minimum.
“The state’s mistakes with breaking the logistics cold chain, virus samples that are sent to reference laboratories months late, and vaccine that is lost because 8% of the bottles break, are unaffordable in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease.”
- Maroela Media has approached the minister’s office and the Department of Agriculture for comment. Any feedback will be updated or published in a follow-up post.