/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The DA in the Free State welcomes the lifting of the ban on the movement of livestock in the province after foot and mouth disease was detected in some districts. While some localised areas are still under quarantine, the disease appears to be under control in the province as monitoring continues.

An oversight visit and interaction with various stakeholders in Harrismith with DA councillor Alison Oates, who is also a farmer in the area, highlighted inter alia the following important issues and lessons learned regarding the foot and mouth disease:

Government bureaucratic processes to deal with serious diseases in the agricultural sector are cumbersome and delay reactions in curbing their spread.

Funds allocated to assist in curbing and isolating outbreaks of diseases among livestock need to be distributed more efficiently. Government funds must also be allocated equitably to mitigate the economic impacts of the disease by compensating farmers for losses fairly and supporting them with biosecurity on farms.

SAPS law enforcement is slow to react, sporadic and ineffective, local farmers did their own roadblocks on secondary roads to control the movement of animals and related products.

Serious flaws exist in inter-provincial cooperation and communication.

Communication from the government with subsistence, emerging and commercial farmers regarding the disease was slow.

The lack of commonage management at the municipal level requires intervention from the provincial government.

Information technology regarding the movement of livestock can be used within the province to monitor the movement of livestock and assist to curb the spread of diseases and stock theft.

The DA will communicate the issues above to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development during interactions with them in the Free State Legislature and request a plan of action to address these concerns in case of future outbreaks.

Issued by Roy Jankielsohn - DA Free State Leader