Free State farmer loses R40 million as foot-and-mouth disease devastates herds
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A Free State farmer has revealed losses exceeding R40 million due to the recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, underscoring the severe financial impact the disease is having on livestock farmers across the province.
The revelation came during a three-day oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture to the Fezile Dabi District, where farmers detailed the scale of the crisis and criticised the provincial Department of Agriculture’s response.
The farmer told the committee that no preventative vaccines were administered before the outbreak, and vaccination occurred a long time after his animals became infected.
He explained that vaccinating each cow costs between R4,000 and R6,000, with total vaccination costs for his herd exceeding R6 million.
"Some farmers called for a partnership with the private sector and the government to fight the disease and to test, produce and roll out vaccines," the committee said.
"Meanwhile, in Kroonstad, the committee heard that piggeries are severely impacted by the disease and that pigs should be prioritised in vaccination strategies."
Farmers using common grazing lands also requested municipal support, including access to additional grazing areas, fenced camps to limit disease spread, feedlots, and tracking of vaccinated animals.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson Dina Pule acknowledged the steps already taken by the Department of Agriculture but stressed that broader cooperation is essential.
“Collaboration and meaningful cooperation are the first resources required to push back the frontiers of this disease,” she said.
“We are also assuring the province of the committee’s full support in the fight against this disease and other enemies of animal farming in the province.”
The department confirmed that, since FMD was declared a national disaster, funds have been set aside for vaccination and that further engagement with National Treasury will aim to secure compensation for farmers’ losses.
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