AfriForum emphasizes that the state does not have the ability to do the gigantic task of procuring and vaccinating nearly 28 million doses of vaccine without the help of the private sector. (Photo: iStock)
The civil rights organization AfriForum has launched an urgent campaign to oppose the government’s centralization of power regarding the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis. In a purposeful effort to protect the agricultural industry and consumers from economic ruin, the organization is currently negotiating with expert role players to help ensure that the private sector can undertake the acquisition, sale and distribution of BKS vaccines. This strategy serves as a direct counter to the state’s “excessive and irresponsible handling” of the national crisis.
In a lawyer’s letter sent to John Steenhuisen, the minister of agriculture, AfriForum states unequivocally that the state’s current approach is irrational. Although the Animal Diseases Act of 1984 lists BKS as a state-controlled disease, the organization argues that this should not be interpreted as a mandate for the state to deal with the disease alone, and therefore without the involvement of the private sector.
AfriForum emphasizes that the state does not have the ability to do the gigantic task of procuring and vaccinating nearly 28 million doses of vaccine without the help of the private sector.
John Steenhuizen. (Photo: Maroela Media)
Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s manager for environmental affairs, warns that the current strategy is doomed to fail without private involvement. According to De Klerk, there are at most 500 state veterinarians and an unknown number of technicians available to carry out the intended 28 million vaccinations within just six months.
“This giant project is simply unfeasible without the involvement of the private sector. It is doomed to failure if the private sector is not given the right to intervene as well,” he explains.
AfriForum insists that the vaccination strategy adopted by the government should also allow the vaccination of animals by private veterinarians and competent farmers. De Klerk argues that the state’s monopoly on the administration of vaccine by only state veterinarians is irrational and that Steenhuisen must take the responsible decision to give the private sector the right to handle certain tasks in dealing with the crisis.
In addition to the issues surrounding vaccines, the organization also demands clarity on the quarantine measures for vaccinated animals or animals diagnosed with BKS. Certain government sources argue that these animals should be placed under quarantine for a year – a prospect that De Klerk describes as extremely harmful.
“Putting herds under quarantine for a year will ruin farmers financially and cause untold damage to the industry, despite the fact that there is no logical reason for a year-long quarantine,” emphasizes De Klerk.
The message to the Department of Agriculture is clear: the cooperation of private institutions is essential to ward off a crisis that is currently threatening to bring the industry to its knees.
In his final conclusion, De Klerk warns that the state’s hold on power is currently in nobody’s interest, as farmers and consumers suffer the consequences.
AfriForum gave Steenhuisen five days to respond to the organisation’s demands.