The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Northern Cape government to actively protect the province’s Foot and Mouth Disease(FMD)-free status through strong provincial leadership, planning and implementation.
With confirmed outbreaks in three neighbouring provinces, the FMD status is fragile and cannot be taken for granted.
The DA in the Northern Cape welcomes the decisive action taken at national level to confront this crisis. Under the leadership of Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, millions of animals will be vaccinated, vaccine supply has been expanded through international partnerships and local production, and a national State of Disaster is being pursued to unlock firm action and improved coordination to manage the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease.
The Northern Cape and provincial governments must also take ownership of combatting the very real risk of the further spread of this disease.
We call on the newly appointed MEC of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and land Reform, Lebogang Motlhaping, to step up efforts and match the dedication of national counterparts.
The DA will interrogate the department on the implementation of measures to keep the province free of FMD, after its planned stakeholder engagement at the end of January.
This feedback must clearly outline the concrete measures being implemented to strengthen biosecurity, regulate animal movement, and ensure that the Northern Cape’s Foot and Mouth Disease–free status is actively protected.
The DA continues to stand with farmers and will continue to demand accountability to protect food security, livelihoods, and the agricultural economy of the Northern Cape.