The Minister of Agriculture, Willie Aucamp, during an address earlier today at the Foot and mouth disease (FMD) Symposium at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria, announced the appointment of Dr. Theo de Jager, Executive Director at Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) and Dr. Danie Odendaal, director of the Veterinarian Network (V-Net) to the Industry Coordination Council (ICC).
The ICC plays a crucial role in the Department of Agriculture’s efforts to beat FMD in South Africa. The council is made up out of industry role players and was established to ensure that industry plays an active and coordinated role in supporting the rollout of the National FMD strategy. This includes vaccine distribution, traceability and disease control.
Welcoming the new appointments, Minister Aucamp highlighted the wealth of experience both leaders bring to the ongoing fight against the disease.
“Dr. de Jager and Dr. Odendaal bring immense practical knowledge, leadership, and technical insight that will strengthen an already hardworking and effective council,” said Minister Aucamp. “Their leadership will add immense value as we work hand-in-hand across the entire agricultural sector. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to both of them for their willingness to serve South Africa at such a critical juncture. We are committed to collaborating with every role player on the ground, and while we know there is a long road ahead, working together is how we will achieve our goal of an FMD-free country.
The minister will also expand the Terms of Reference of the ICC to have a bigger emphasis on the rollout and practical implementation of the rollout plan with specific reference to farmers that are now allowed to vaccinate their own animals. Minister Aucamp has also announced that the vaccine suppliers will also be represented on an adhoc basis on the ICC.
“The expanded ICC together with the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) on FMD will be our bombsquad and together we will win the fight against FMD”, said Minister Aucamp during his address at the symposium. To date, a total of 17 million vaccine doses has been imported into South Africa to support the national strategy.
Minister Aucamp urges livestock farmers to register as authorised persons, enabling them to vaccinate their own cattle legally and efficiently. Livestock owners can register on the FMD Reporting site and each of the steps is outlined in the step-by-step guidelines.
Minister Aucamp has also today met with the Argentinian Ambassador to South Africa, as well as representatives of Biogénesis Bago. He thanked them for their support in the fight against FMD. During this meeting Biogénesis Bagó reaffirmed their commitment to ensure a steady supply of vaccines to get ahead of the disease.
Issued by: The Ministry of Agriculture Department
