Cattle in the Western Cape vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease. (Photo: X)
The Red Meat Producers Organization (RPO) says legal action by the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) and the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa (RuVASA) against the draft scheme for preventive vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) may cause further delays in the vaccination campaign.
Maroela Media earlier reported that SAVA and RuVASA rejected the government’s draft BKS vaccination plan’s provision that veterinarians must obtain additional approval from Red Meat Operations Services (RMIS) to participate in the national vaccination program.
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According to the RPO, the document on which the legal action is based is not the final version of the proposed section 10 scheme. The RPO says there are also misinterpretations about the role of RMIS in the scheme.
“In short, RMIS has no decision-making powers. RMIS is available to do the necessary facilitation between the industry and government to roll out the process as quickly as possible.”
The organization further says that RMIS is not a “gatekeeper” for the industry, but a service-providing institution that should facilitate administrative processes such as applications, vaccine orders and delivery.
John Steenhuizen. (Photo: Maroela Media)
However, the RPO warns that the legal action could have serious consequences for the vaccination campaign.
“A final, and probably the most important comment, is that these legal actions by SAVA and RuVASA could cause further delays in a vaccination campaign that could get the industry back on its feet.”
According to the organisation, the livestock industry cannot afford further delays and incorrect information and interpretations can cause unnecessary confusion at a time when coordinated action is needed.
The RPO says producers must focus on the task at hand and not be derailed by side battles. He also says that all parties must first check the facts before taking further steps.