National disaster of catastrophic proportions in South Africa

Farmers are calling for the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak to be declared a national disaster in terms of South Africa’s Disaster Management Act.

The Southern Africa Agri Initiative (Saai) said this would bring critical benefits to struggling farmers and accelerate the containment of the outbreak.

Saai added that the financial survival of family farmers must be placed at the centre of all efforts to combat the disease and to limit its severe economic impact.

Saai CEO Francois Rossouw explained that declaring the FMD outbreak a national disaster would enable faster mobilisation of national resources.

A declaration would enable the government to rapidly deploy supplies, equipment, vehicles and facilities to affected areas.

It would also strengthen vaccination campaigns, as well as roadblocks, checkpoints, disinfectants, and the overall response capacity to the outbreak.

National government bodies could release personnel to provide emergency services, placing more people on the ground.

This is needed for animal health interventions, inspections, enforcement of movement controls, awareness campaigns, and support for laboratories and field operations.

The national disaster will enhance powers to regulate the movement of people, goods, livestock, animal products, transport vehicles, auctions and informal movements.

The relevant minister would be empowered to activate appropriate national disaster management plans.

This would allow the issuing of rapid directives or regulations, promoting a coordinated, government-wide response rather than fragmented provincial approaches.

The Act provides for the effective dissemination of essential information, ensuring clearer and more uniform messaging to farmers.

Special procedures would speed up the procurement of essential supplies such as vaccines, diagnostic tests, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

“A national disaster declaration would primarily unlock faster access to resources, personnel, procurement processes and stricter movement control,” Saai said.

These are the most important tools to slow and contain the spread of FMD in South Africa.

Details about the foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa

Emma Niland, a consultant at Intelact Dairy South Africa and team leader for Intelact Beef South Africa, painted a grim picture of the situation.

Intelact provides farmers and agribusiness clients with dairy and beef systems consulting services.

There are two separate study groups in South Africa, beef and dairy, consisting of over 100 farmers.

Many of South Africa’s top dairy and beef farmers are in these groups, which means the company has in-depth knowledge of the local industry.

Niland described the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak as catastrophic, saying it has a devastating effect on South African farmers.

“It looks like a war zone. Animals cannot eat. They cannot walk. Skin is coming off their tongues,” she told the BizNews podcast.

“We are seeing losses of four to six thousand rand per animal. Some farmers have been hit two or three times already.”

She said it is very costly and resource-intensive for farmers to address the outbreak and treat the animals that have been infected.

Farmers are prevented from selling cattle, which means that they have no source of income. This affects commercial and subsistence farmers.

However, the toll extends far beyond money. She said the pressure and seeing so many animals die causes severe depression among farm employees.

Niland warned that South African consumers will soon feel the consequences in the form of increased meat and dairy prices.

“Food prices are going to rise sharply if this is not addressed. Milk production is down. The beef supply will follow. We are seeing catastrophic balance sheet damage,” she said.