The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has formally written to the Provincial Head of Department (HOD) of Agriculture and Rural Development seeking urgent clarity on the province’s response to the rapidly spreading Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.
We have requested detailed information on whether the Department is effectively coordinating with other organs of state to strengthen veterinary services, and the movement permitting and enforcement of movement control protocols in Limpopo – to contain the spread of the disease.
Of particular concern are severe capacity shortages within the state veterinary service. As the DA we have requested a full list of vacant veterinary posts across the province, the affected areas, and the Department’s plan to urgently fill these positions considering the escalating outbreak.
Given the limited number of state veterinarians, the DA has further asked the HOD whether private veterinary practitioners are being formally integrated into the response effort and whether clear structures or processes have been created to allow these practitioners to put their names forward to assist. These professionals are critical frontline partners and must be utilised to ensure an effective containment strategy.
Clarity has also been sought on the availability and rollout of FMD vaccines, including whether the Department has been formally informed of the total number of vaccines allocated to Limpopo, the quantities received to date, distribution timelines, and the criteria used to prioritise affected areas.
We have also emphasised the importance of clear communication with farmers regarding movement permit requirements under Protocol No. 1 (Amendment 1), which regulates the movement of cloven-hoofed livestock. We have asked the Department to urgently provide an accessible list of state veterinary offices and contact details to ensure that compliance and delays in processing permit applications are minimised – all with the aim of preventing the further spread FMD
The DA calls on the Department to urgently intensify its response measures, as current indications suggest the disease continues to spread across the province