Vaccine shortage could cripple agricultural sectors

19 August 2014

The DA will today write to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, to request an urgent meeting to address the shortages of vaccines for livestock. Government's primary vaccine manufacturer, Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), is currently at a standstill. 

The Animal Health Forum (AHF) recently raised concerns about the lack of vaccines and the fact that some batches of vaccines did not conform to standards. 

Brucella, Blue tongue B and Animal Horse Sickness vaccines are priorities that are not currently available. Vaccines are the most important line of defence in preventing and controlling disease outbreaks in the livestock population.

This situation has serious consequences for the livestock industry. If we do not produce enough vaccines, we could be at risk of damaging disease outbreaks. These diseases could undermine our ability to compete in certain agricultural sectors and could lead to export bans. 

Last year, the DA welcomed a R500 million allocation from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to the OBP to upgrade its facilities, yet it seems that the financial intervention did little to improve the situation at the OBP. 

Farmers are once again not able to vaccinate in this current season and the OBP has indicated that vaccines will only be ready by October this year. These vaccines are South Africa specific and generic vaccines cannot be imported. 

If immediate action is not taken, potential losses in farm income could devastate South Africa's rural economy. 

It is critical that effective vaccines be developed to prevent the industry from outbreaks such as the African Horse Sickness (AHS) and Rift Valley Fever (RVF). 

The Minister must take urgent action and get OBP working again. If we don't take action now, it could have dire economic consequences for rural communities. 

Statement issued by Annette Steyn MP, DA Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, August 19 2014

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