The Western Cape’s battle against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) received a significant boost this week as 100,000 additional vaccine doses landed at Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday night, reports Cape {town} Etc.
This shipment is pivotal to the provincial government’s comprehensive response to the FMD outbreak that has raised concerns among farmers and livestock owners across the region.
The newly acquired vaccines will be strategically distributed across several critical regions, including the West Coast, Cape Winelands, and Garden Route districts.
The operation is being overseen by a provincial ‘war room’ dedicated to coordinating efforts and ensuring an efficient rollout. Concurrently, the vaccination drive is being steadily scaled up with the aim of fully immunising the provincial herd.
As of now, the Western Cape has successfully vaccinated 48,612 animals at 276 designated vaccination sites, thanks to the collaborative efforts of 29 private veterinarians working alongside State Veterinarians. This concerted initiative signals a firm commitment to controlling the FMD outbreak that has threatened the agricultural sector.
In addition to vaccination efforts, various measures have been put in place to safeguard livestock movement. Warning signs have been erected along major highways connected to neighbouring provinces, while checkpoints monitor traffic at critical road junctions.
These precautions are part of a robust 21-point response plan established by the Western Cape Government.
The plan’s effectiveness hinges on rigorous movement control, continuous monitoring and surveillance, and stringent recovery protocols that include cleaning operations and managing quarantine areas.
Collaborative efforts from key agricultural stakeholders, including the Milk Producers Organisation, Red Meat Producers, Milk SA, Agri Western Cape, and Shoprite, are vital in bolstering these initiatives.
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Premier Alan Winde expressed appreciation for the collective dedication demonstrated by all role players, stressing the importance of coordinating efforts to counter this crisis effectively.
‘We will continue to intensify the response plan to protect this critical sector of our economy. I personally chair a weekly joint operation meeting with all stakeholders, including municipalities, to ensure that everything is being done to manage this crisis. In everything we do, we aim to protect growth, livelihoods and jobs,’ he stated.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Ivan Meyer echoed Winde’s sentiments, ensuring that the arrival of the new vaccine doses signifies a turning point in the response to FMD. ‘It means we can now accelerate vaccinations across the province, ensuring that we protect our livestock, support our farmers, and strengthen this vital sector of our economy,’ Meyer said.
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Picture: WCG
